Sample records for mev ag ion

HfO2/Si thinfilms were deposited by RF sputtering technique. 120 MeVAgion irradiation has been used to study the electrical properties of Au/HfO2/Si MOSCAPs. SHI (120 MeVAg) induced annealing, defects creation and intermixing effects on the electrical properties of these systems have been studied. Here, we have observed that the high electronic excitation can cause a significant reduction of leakage currents in these MOSCAP devices. Various quantum mechanical tunneling phenomenon has been observed from the I-V characteristics.

Depth profiles of the radiation damage produced by 4 MeVAgions in Si(111) at temperatures of 210--450 K are studied by optical reflectivity depth profiling and TEM for doses between 10 12 and 10 15 Ag/cm 2 . For high implantation temperatures, the depth of maximum damage is shown to be dose dependent. Point defect diffusion is shown to result in long tails of defect depth profiles. High-temperature amorphization is observed to proceed via the formation and bridge-like coalescence of isolated amorphous volumina. The damage at the depth of the maximum in the nuclear stopping power is described as a function of dose and temperature by the Hecking model. The model parameters and a comparison with those obtained for lighter ions reflect the particular properties of heavy ion collision cascades

The charge-state distributions of 3 MeV carbon ions scattered over angles of 40 degrees and 60 degrees from sub-monolayers of Ag and Au atoms evaporated on a substrate and from thick layers of Ag and Au have been measured. A close similarity of the charge distributions in all cases is interpreted as

Thin films of isotactic polypropylene having 500 {mu}m thickness were irradiated with 100 MeVAg{sup 7+} ions at the fluences varying from 10{sup 11} to 5 x 10{sup 12} ions/cm{sup 2}. The properties such as chemical, optical, structural and surface morphology were characterized by techniques namely FTIR, UV-visible, photoluminescence, XRD, SEM and contact angle method. The FTIR spectra show the scissioning of C-H and C-C bonds, whereas, in photoluminescence, the intensities of the peaks at 440 and 480 nm in emission spectra and at 236 nm in excitation spectra observed to be decreased with increase in ion fluence. This may be due to the decomposition of luminescent centers. The UV-visible spectra also show a remarkable red shift from 218 to 367 nm and the subsequent large reduction in the optical band gap from 5.37 to 3.39 eV. This attributes to the carbonization or graphitization of polypropylene. On the contrary, the intensities of XRD peaks, particularly the peak due to 1 1 0 planes, shows sufficient enhancement which signifies overall increase in crystallinity. This ascribes to relief in the local strain on the crystallites due to scissioning of tie molecules in the amorphous zones. The contact angle has increased from 78 deg. to 97 deg. which reveals the absence of hydrophilic functional groups, carbonization and surface roughening. The result is also supported by SEM analysis.

The formation of strained layers and a non-monotonic evolution of strain in high energy (100 MeV) silver ion (Ag{sup 7+}) irradiated undoped semi-insulating GaAs are observed and analyzed using Raman scattering and high resolution X-ray diffraction (HRXRD) measurements. At low fluence, compressively strained layers are formed, whereas, with increase in fluence both compressive and tensile strains appear as observed from HRXRD measurements. Further, at low fluence, the change in compressive strain with increase in fluence is found to be sharper than what is observed at higher fluence, thereby suggesting a critical fluence value, beyond which there is a simultaneous generation and annihilation of vacancy type defects. The initial blue shift and subsequent relative red shift beyond above critical fluence in the Raman peak also qualitatively reveal non-monotonic evolution of strain in this case. Finally, we demonstrate the sensitivity of Raman spectroscopy in detecting the decrease in lattice ordering in the crystal in the low fluence regime, below the detection limit of Rutherford back-scattering channeling (c-RBS) measurements.

Single crystals of yttrium calcium oxy borate (YCOB) grown from boron-tri-oxide flux were subjected to swift heavy ion irradiation using silver Ag{sup 9+} ions from the 15 UD Pelletron facility at Inter University Accelerator Center, New Delhi. The crystals were irradiated at 1 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 13}, 5 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 13} and 1 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 14} ions/cm{sup 2} fluences at room temperature and with 5 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 13} ions/cm{sup 2} fluence at liquid nitrogen temperature. The pristine and the irradiated samples were characterized by glancing angle X-ray diffraction, UV-Vis-NIR and photoluminescence studies. From the characterization studies performed on the samples, it is inferred that the crystals irradiated at liquid nitrogen temperature had fewer defects compared to the crystals irradiated at room temperature and the defects increased when the ion fluence was increased at room temperature.

Polypyrrole (PPY) films were prepared by the electrochemical polymerization technique. The fully undoped samples were irradiated with different fluences ranging from 1010 to 1012 ions/cm2 of 100 MeV silver (Ag8+) ions. In order to explain the effect of these radiations, a comparative study of samples before and after irradiation was performed by using various techniques such as surface electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. With an increase in fluence, the surface structure of PPY films becomes smoother, and the conductivity increases by two orders, which has been explained in light of reordering of polymer chains. The temperature dependence of the dc conductivity of irradiated as well as unirradiated samples has been investigated at 77-300 K. The charge transport properties before and after irradiation are retained although conductivity increases. It has been proposed that swift heavy ion irradiation affects the interchain conductivity. The conductivity of irradiated samples is stable under atmospheric conditions for more than 9 months. The present investigations open up the scope for the applicability of irradiated conducting polymers as microstructures with defined conductivity for sensor applications.

Polypyrrole (PPY) films were prepared by the electrochemical polymerization technique. The fully undoped samples were irradiated with different fluences ranging from 10 10 to 10 12 ions/cm 2 of 100 MeV silver (Ag 8+ ) ions. In order to explain the effect of these radiations, a comparative study of samples before and after irradiation was performed by using various techniques such as surface electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. With an increase in fluence, the surface structure of PPY films becomes smoother, and the conductivity increases by two orders, which has been explained in light of reordering of polymer chains. The temperature dependence of the dc conductivity of irradiated as well as unirradiated samples has been investigated at 77-300 K. The charge transport properties before and after irradiation are retained although conductivity increases. It has been proposed that swift heavy ion irradiation affects the interchain conductivity. The conductivity of irradiated samples is stable under atmospheric conditions for more than 9 months. The present investigations open up the scope for the applicability of irradiated conducting polymers as microstructures with defined conductivity for sensor applications.

Swift Heavy Ion (SHI) irradiation with 200 MeVAg 9+ -ion beam at ion fluences of 1E11, 5E11, 1E12, and 5E12 for tuning of electrical transport properties of VO 2 thin films fabricated by so–gel technique on alumina substrates has been demonstrated in the present paper. The point defects created by SHI irradiation modulate metal to insulator phase transition temperature, carrier concentration, carrier mobility, electrical conductivity, and Seebeck coefficient of VO 2 thin films. The structural properties of the films were characterized by XRD and Raman spectroscopy and crystallite size was found to decrease upon irradiation. The atomic force microscopy revealed that the surface roughness of specimens first decreased and then increased with increasing fluence. Both resistance as well as Seebeck coefficient measurements demonstrated that all the samples exhibit metal–insulator phase transition and the transition temperatures decreases with increasing fluence. Hall effect measurements exhibited that carrier concentration increased continuously with increasing fluence which resulted in an increase of electrical conductivity by several orders of magnitude in the insulating phase. Seebeck coefficient in insulating phase remained almost constant in spite of an increase in the electrical conductivity by several orders of magnitude making SHI irradiation an alternative stratagem for augmentation of thermoelectric performance of the materials. The carrier mobility at room temperature decreased up to the beam fluence of 5E11 and then started increasing whereas Seebeck coefficient in metallic state first increased with increasing ion beam fluence up to 5E11 and thereafter decreased. Variation of these electrical transport parameters has been explained in detail. - Highlights: • Thermoelectric properties of VO 2 thin films enhance upon SHI irradiation. • Structural properties show that crystallite size decrease upon SHI irradiation. • Metal–insulator phase

Thin films of Co–Fe–Si were vacuum evaporated on pre-cleaned float glass substrates employing thermal evaporation. The films were subsequently irradiated with 100 MeVAg{sup +7} ions at fluences of 1×10{sup 11}, 1×10{sup 12} and 1×10{sup 13} ions/cm{sup 2}. The pristine and irradiated samples were subjected to surface analysis using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Vibrating Sample Magnetometry (VSM) and Magneto Optic Kerr Effect (MOKE) measurements. The as deposited film has a root mean square roughness (Rq) of 8.9 nm and an average roughness of (Ra) 5.6 nm. Irradiation of the as deposited films with 100 MeVAg{sup 7+} ions modifies the surface morphology. Irradiating with ions at fluences of 1×10{sup 11} ions/cm{sup 2} smoothens the mesoscopic hill-like structures, and then, at 1×10{sup 12} ions/cm{sup 2} new surface structures are created. When the fluence is further increased to 1×10{sup 13} ions/cm{sup 2} an increase in the surface roughness is observed. The MOKE loop of as prepared film indicated a squareness ratio of 0.62. As the film is irradiated with fluences of 1×10{sup 11} ions/cm{sup 2}, 1×10{sup 12} ions/cm{sup 2} and 1×10{sup 13} ions/cm{sup 2} the squareness ratio changes to 0.76, 0.8 and 0.86 respectively. This enhancement in squareness ratio towards 1 is a typical feature when the exchange interaction starts to dominates the inherent anisotropies in the system. The variation in surface magnetisation is explained based on the variations in surface roughness with swift heavy ion (SHI) irradiation. - Highlights: • We have irradiated thermally evaporated Co–Fe–Si thin films on glass substrate with 100 MeVAg{sup +7} ions using the 15 UD Pelletron Accelerator at IUAC, New Delhi, India. • Surface morphology and magnetic characteristics of the films can be altered with ion irradiation. • It was observed that the variation in surface magnetic properties correlates well with the changes in surface morphology, further reiterating the

The mechanism of K-shell vacancy production is studied in t in an X-ray-scattered ion coincidence experiment with 1 MeV/a.m.u. 63 Cu 4+ ion incident onto natural Ge and Ag targets. The impact parameter dependent K-shell vacancy production probability measured in the experiment is interpreted in terms of the rotational coupling and the statistical models. The dependence of the vacancy sharing process in the Cu-Ge collision system on the impact parameter is obtained and compared with the predictions of the Briggs-Myerhof-Demkov model

Hydrogen loss from a-SiNx:H films under irradiation with 100 MeVAg7+ ions using elastic recoil detection analysis (ERDA) experiment is reported. The results are explained under the basic assumptions of the molecular recombination model. The ERDA hydrogen concentration profiles are composed of two distinct hydrogen desorption processes, limited by rapid molecular diffusion in the initial stages of irradiation, and as the fluence progresses a slow process limited by diffusion of atomic hydrogen takes over. Which of the aforesaid processes dominates, is determined by the continuously evolving Hydrogen concentration within the films. The first process dominates when the H content is high, and as the H concentration falls below a certain threshold (Hcritical) the irradiation generated H radicals have to diffuse through larger distances before recombining to form H2, thereby significantly bringing down the hydrogen evolution rate. The ERDA measurements were also carried out for films treated with low temperature (300 °C) hydrogen plasma annealing (HPA). The HPA treated films show a clear increase in Hcritical value, thus indicating an improved diffusion of atomic hydrogen, resulting from healing of weak bonds and passivation of dangling bonds. Further, upon HPA films show a significantly higher H concentration relative to the as-deposited films, at advanced fluences. These results indicate the potential of HPA towards improved H retention in a-SiNx:H films. The study distinguishes clearly the presence of two diffusion processes in a-SiNx:H whose diffusion rates differ by an order of magnitude, with atomic hydrogen not being able to diffuse further beyond ∼ 1 nm from the point of its creation.

The energy loss of /sup 14/N ions in Ni, Ag, and Cu has been investigated via the inverted Doppler-shift attenuation technique in the energy range up to 3.1 MeV. Excited /sup 14/N nuclei were produced in the reaction /sup 12/C( 3 He,p) /sup 14/N/sup */, and energy-loss information was obtained from the analysis of the Doppler-broadened 2.313-MeV γ-ray line, observed with a Ge(Li) detector. This analysis also yielded the lifetimes of the levels at 2.3 and 3.9 MeV in /sup 14/N, which were determined to be 97.7 +- 5.5 and 5.6 +- 1.1 fs, respectively, in reasonable agreement with previous measurements and theoretical calculations. The stopping cross sections obtained for all three stopping media are compared with existing theoretical calculations, especially with regard to the oscillations with the atomic number of the stopping medium

A random two-dimensional large scale nano-network of silver nanowires (Ag-NWs) is fabricated by MeV hydrogen (H + ) ion beam irradiation. Ag-NWs are irradiated under H + ion beam at different ion fluences at room temperature. The Ag-NW network is fabricated by H + ion beam-induced welding of Ag-NWs at intersecting positions. H + ion beam induced welding is confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Moreover, the structure of Ag NWs remains stable under H + ion beam, and networks are optically transparent. Morphology also remains stable under H + ion beam irradiation. No slicings or cuttings of Ag-NWs are observed under MeV H + ion beam irradiation. The results exhibit that the formation of Ag-NW network proceeds through three steps: ion beam induced thermal spikes lead to the local heating of Ag-NWs, the formation of simple junctions on small scale, and the formation of a large scale network. This observation is useful for using Ag-NWs based devices in upper space where protons are abandoned in an energy range from MeV to GeV. This high-quality Ag-NW network can also be used as a transparent electrode for optoelectronics devices. (paper)

Two electrons, excited just above the double-ionization threshold of an Ag q+ (q=5,6) core in a single collision of a 0.1-MeV/u Ag 4+ projectile ion with an Ar atom, are detected. The electron detector consists of electrically isolated anode segments located behind a microchannel-plate electron multiplier. A large electrostatic 30 degree parallel-plate analyzer is used to deflect the two free electrons, which move with approximately the projectile velocity, into the detector. The cross sections for producing final states consisting of a positively charged ionic core and two electrons just above the threshold for double ionization in ion-atom collisions have been measured. The cross sections for producing states with one electron moving with a kinetic energy less than 0.13 eV in the projectile frame and the other moving with somewhat higher kinetic energy are presented

Silver metal clusters have been formed in soda lime glass by high-energy heavy-ion irradiation at ISL. The metal cluster formation was detected with X-ray absorption spectroscopy (EXAFS) in fluorescence mode, and the shape of the clusters was imaged with transmission electron microscopy. While annealing in reducing atmosphere alone, leads to the formation of metal clusters in Ag-containing glasses, where the Ag was introduced by ion-exchange, such clusters are not very uniform in size and are randomly distributed over the Ag-containing glass volume. Irradiation with 600-MeV Au ions followed by annealing, however, results in clusters more uniform in size and arranged in chains parallel to the direction of the ion beam

We have studied the deformation of metallo-dielectric core-shell colloids under 4 MeV Xe, 6 and 16 MeV Au, 30 MeV Si and 30 MeV Cu ion irradiation. Colloids of silica surrounded by a gold shell, with a typical diameter of 400 nm, show anisotropic plastic deformation under MeVion irradiation, with the metal flowing conform the anisotropically deforming silica core. The 20 nm thick metal shell imposes a mechanical constraint on the deforming silica core, reducing the net deformation strain rate compared to that of pure silica. In colloids consisting of a Au core and a silica shell, the silica expands perpendicular to the ion beam, while the metal core shows a large elongation along the ion beam direction, provided the silica shell is thick enough (>40 nm). A minimum electronic energy loss of 3.3 keV/nm is required for shape transformation of the metal core. Silver cores embedded in a silica shell show no elongation, but rather disintegrate. Also in planar SiO 2 films, Au and Ag colloids show entirely different behavior under MeV irradiation. We conclude that the deformation model of core-shell colloids must include ion-induced particle disintegration in combination with thermodynamical effects, possibly in combination with mechanical effects driven by stresses around the ion tracks

We have studied the deformation of metallo-dielectric core-shell colloids under 4 MeV Xe, 6 and 16 MeV Au, 30 MeV Si and 30 MeV Cu ion irradiation. Colloids of silica surrounded by a gold shell, with a typical diameter of 400 nm, show anisotropic plastic deformation under MeVion irradiation, with the metal flowing conform the anisotropically deforming silica core. The 20 nm thick metal shell imposes a mechanical constraint on the deforming silica core, reducing the net deformation strain rate compared to that of pure silica. In colloids consisting of a Au core and a silica shell, the silica expands perpendicular to the ion beam, while the metal core shows a large elongation along the ion beam direction, provided the silica shell is thick enough (>40 nm). A minimum electronic energy loss of 3.3 keV/nm is required for shape transformation of the metal core. Silver cores embedded in a silica shell show no elongation, but rather disintegrate. Also in planar SiO2 films, Au and Ag colloids show entirely different behavior under MeV irradiation. We conclude that the deformation model of core-shell colloids must include ion-induced particle disintegration in combination with thermodynamical effects, possibly in combination with mechanical effects driven by stresses around the ion tracks.

The testing equipment was designed, manufactured and tried out permitting measurements of total current, current profile and emittance of an ion beam extracted from the ion beam. MeV energy electrostatic accelerator ion H + beam emittance measurement results are presented.

Original technical objectives of CRADA number PVI C-03-09 between BNL and Poole Ventura, Inc. (PVI) were to develop an intense, high charge state, ion source for MeVion implanters. Present day high-energy ion implanters utilize low charge state (usually single charge) ion sources in combination with rf accelerators. Usually, a MV LINAC is used for acceleration of a few rnA. It is desirable to have instead an intense, high charge state ion source on a relatively low energy platform (de acceleration) to generate high-energy ion beams for implantation. This de acceleration of ions will be far more efficient (in energy utilization). The resultant implanter will be smaller in size. It will generate higher quality ion beams (with lower emittance) for fabrication of superior semiconductor products. In addition to energy and cost savings, the implanter will operate at a lower level of health risks associated with ion implantation. An additional aim of the project was to producing a product that can lead to long­ term job creation in Russia and/or in the US. R&D was conducted in two Russian Centers (one in Tomsk and Seversk, the other in Moscow) under the guidance ofPVI personnel and the BNL PI. Multiple approaches were pursued, developed, and tested at various locations with the best candidate for commercialization delivered and tested at on an implanter at the PVI client Axcelis. Technical developments were exciting: record output currents of high charge state phosphorus and antimony were achieved; a Calutron-Bemas ion source with a 70% output of boron ion current (compared to 25% in present state-of-the-art). Record steady state output currents of higher charge state phosphorous and antimony and P ions: P{sup 2+} (8.6 pmA), P{sup 3+} (1.9 pmA), and P{sup 4+} (0.12 pmA) and 16.2, 7.6, 3.3, and 2.2 pmA of Sb{sup 3+} Sb {sup 4 +}, Sb{sup 5+}, and Sb{sup 6+} respectively. Ultimate commercialization goals did not succeed (even though a number of the products like high

The Brookhaven AGS is alternating gradient synchrotron, 807 meters in circumference, which was originally designed for only protons. Using the 15 MV Brookhaven Tandem Van de Graaff as an injector, the AGS started to accelerate heavy ions of mass lighter than sulfur. Because of the relatively poor vacuum (∼10 -8 Torr), the AGS is not able to accelerate heavier ions which could not be fully stripped of electrons at the Tandem energy. When the AGS Booster, which is under construction, is completed the operation will be extended to all species of heavy ions including gold and uranium. Because ultra-high vacuum (∼10 -11 Torr) is planned, the Booster can accelerate partially stripped elements. The operational experience, the parameters, and scheme of heavy ion acceleration will be presented in detail from injection to extraction, as well as future injection into the new Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). A future plan to improve intensity of the accelerator will also be presented. 5 figs., 4 tabs

The results of development of an accelerating complex on the base of the UP-2-1 heavy ion charge exchange accelerator and IMPLANT-500 high-voltage heavy ion accelerator are given. The accelerating complex provides overlapping of the 0.01 MeV to 5 MeV energy range at accelerated beam currents of 10 -3 -10 -6 A order. The structural features of accelerators and their basic units and systems are considered. The UP-2-1 accelerator is designed for researches in the field of experimental physics and applied problem solutions. The IMPLANT-500 accelerator is designed for commercial ion-beam facilities with closed loop of silicon plate treatment

The location of Ag in Ag-doped YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-δ (YBCO) films and other high-T c materials (such as Ag-doped BiSrCaCuO films and Ag-sheathed textured BiSrCaCuO wires) is a very important issue for improving high-T c materials. In this work, laser ablated and DC magnetron sputtered YBCO films on (100) LaAlO 3 and (100) SrTiO 3 were prepared from sintered Ag-YBCO composite targets (nominally containing 5 wt% Ag) and studied by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) and ion channeling techniques using 2.0 MeV 4 He + and 7 Li + beams. We have found that the Ag-YBCO targets contain about 3 wt% Ag and most of the retained Ag atoms form some small size Ag precipitates with a typical size smaller than a few microns. We have demonstrated that in very good single crystalline YBCO films, the percentage of retained Ag in substitutional sites can be estimated by ion channeling technique. For example, we have found that about 1.2 wt% Ag atoms remain in the laser ablated Ag-doped films prepared from the Ag-YBCO target and about two-thirds of the retained Ag atoms occupy substitutional sites. The sputtered films contain less retained Ag atoms since the deposition temperature is higher and deposition time is longer than those for laser ablated films. (orig.)

A microbeam line for MeV heavy ions of almost any element has been developed for microion-beam processing such as maskless MeVion implantation and its in-situ analysis. Beam spot sizes of 4.0 μm x 4.0 μm for 3 MeV C 2+ and 9.6 μm x 4.8 μm for 1.8 MeV Au 2+ beams were obtained. Maskless MeV gold ion implantation to a silicon substrate and in-situ microanalysis before and after ion implantation were demonstrated. (author)

The advent of heavy ion acceleration with the AGS at Brookhaven National Laboratory in 1986 and the proposed Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) for 1990 brings us into a temperature and density regime well above anything yet produced and into a time domain of the early universe of 10 -13 -10 -6 seconds. The physics of high energy heavy ions range from the more traditional nuclear physics to the formation of new forms of matter. Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) is the latest, and as of yet, the most successful theory to describe the interaction of quarks and gluons. The nature of the confinement of the quarks and gluons under extremes of temperature and density is one of the compelling reasons for this new physics program at BNL. There are reasons to believe that with collisions of heavy nuclei at energies in the 10 to 100 GeV/amu range a very large volume of approx. 10 fm 3 would be heated to 200-300 MeV and/or acquire a sufficient quark density (5-10 times normal baryon density) so that the entire contents of the volume would be deconfined and the quarks and gluons would form a plasma. The kinematic region for the extant machines and the proposed RHIC are shown. At AGS energies the baryons in colliding nuclei bring each other to rest, yielding fragmentation regions of high baryon density. These are the regions in which supernorvae and neutrons stars exist. For energies much higher, such as in RHIC, nuclei are transparent to each other and one can form a central region of almost zero baryon density, mostly pions, and very high temperature. This is the region of the early universe and the quark-gluon plasma. Design parameters and cost of the RHIC are discussed

Analysis of the luminescence induced by a MeVion beam offers the potential to provide useful information about the chemical properties of atoms in crystals to complement the information provided by more traditional Ion Beam Analysis (IBA) such as Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS), ion channeling and Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE). Furthermore, the large penetration depth of the MeVion beam offers several advantages over the relatively shallow penetration of keV electrons typically employed in cathodoluminescence. An Ion Beam Induced Luminescence (IBIL) detection system was developed for the Melbourne microprobe that allows the spatial mapping of the luminescence signal along with the signals from RBS and PIXE. Homoepitaxial diamond growth has been studied and remarkable shifts in the characteristic blue luminescence of diamond towards the green were observed in the overgrowth. This has been tentatively identified as being due to transition metal inclusions in the epitaxial layers. 8 refs., 2 refs.

Analysis of the luminescence induced by a MeVion beam offers the potential to provide useful information about the chemical properties of atoms in crystals to complement the information provided by more traditional Ion Beam Analysis (IBA) such as Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS), ion channeling and Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE). Furthermore, the large penetration depth of the MeVion beam offers several advantages over the relatively shallow penetration of keV electrons typically employed in cathodoluminescence. An Ion Beam Induced Luminescence (IBIL) detection system was developed for the Melbourne microprobe that allows the spatial mapping of the luminescence signal along with the signals from RBS and PIXE. Homoepitaxial diamond growth has been studied and remarkable shifts in the characteristic blue luminescence of diamond towards the green were observed in the overgrowth. This has been tentatively identified as being due to transition metal inclusions in the epitaxial layers. 8 refs., 2 refs.

Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry using MeVion excitation was applied to analyse modern paint materials containing synthetic organic pigments and binders. It was demonstrated that synthetic organic pigments and binder components with molecular masses in the m/z range from 1 to 1200 could be identi......Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry using MeVion excitation was applied to analyse modern paint materials containing synthetic organic pigments and binders. It was demonstrated that synthetic organic pigments and binder components with molecular masses in the m/z range from 1 to 1200 could...... be identified in different paint samples with a high efficiency and in a single measurement. Different ways of mounting of mostly insulating paint samples were tested prior to the analysis in order to achieve the highest possible yield of pigment main molecular ions. As Time-of-Flight mass spectrometer for Me......V Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry is attached to the heavy ion microprobe, molecular imaging on cross-sections of small paint fragments was performed using focused ions. Due to the fact that molecules are extracted from the uppermost layer of the sample and to avoid surface contamination, the paint samples...

Highlights: •Study of silver ion induced defects and modifications in silica glass. •Variation in oxygen deficiency centres (ODA-II) and nonbridging oxygen hole centres (NBOHC). •Study of structural damage in terms of Urbach energy. -- Abstract: A few silica glass samples having 1 cm{sup 2} area and 0.1 cm thickness were irradiated with 100 MeV energy Ag{sup 7+} ions for the fluences ranging from 1 × 10{sup 12} ions/cm{sup 2} to 5 × 10{sup 13} ions/cm{sup 2}. The optical properties and the corresponding induced defects were characterised by the techniques such as UV–Visible, Photoluminescence (PL), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. The UV–Visible absorption spectra show two peaks, one at 5 eV and another weak peak at 5.8 eV. A peak observed at 5.0 eV corresponds to B{sub 2} band (oxygen deficiency in SiO{sub 2} network) and the peak at 5.8 eV is due to the paramagnetic defects like E′ centre. The intensities of these peaks found to be increased with increase in ion fluence. It attributes to the increase in the concentration of E′ centres and B{sub 2} band respectively. In addition, the optical band gap energy, Urbach energy and the defects concentration have been calculated using Urbach plot. The optical band gap found to be decreased from 4.65 eV to 4.39 eV and the Urbach energy found to be increased from 60 meV to 162 meV. The defect concentration of nonbridging oxygen hole centres (NBOHC) and E′ centres are found to be increased to 1.69 × 10{sup 13} cm{sup −3} and 3.134 × 10{sup 14} cm{sup −3} respectively. In PL spectra, the peak appeared at 1.92 eV and 2.7 eV envisage the defects of nonbridging oxygen hole centres and B{sub 2α} oxygen deficient centres respectively. ESR spectra also confirms the existence of E′ and NBOHC centres. FTIR spectra shows scissioning of Si-O-Si bonds and the formation of Si-H and Si-OH bonds, which supports to the co-existence of the defects induced by Ag

This thesis deals with the transport and acceleration of intense ion beams in single-ended Van de Graaff accelerators and the multiple beam rf accelerator MEQALAC (Multiple Electrostatic Quadrupole Array Linear Accelerator). Ch. 2 discusses several beam-envelope calculation techniques and describes the ion-optical components of a 1 MV, high-current, heavy-ion implantation facility and a 2 MV facility for analyzing purposes. The X-ray level of these accelerators is kept low, such that no shielding is needed, by keeping the energy of the secondary electrons sufficiently low, which is accomplished by a suppression system of small permanent magnets built in the acceleration tubes (ch. 3). Ch.'s 4,5 and 6 cover various aspects of stage II of the MEQALAC project. This stage deals with the parallel acceleration of four high-current N + beams from 40 keV to 1 MeV. Acceleration takes place in 32 rf gaps which are part of a modified interdigital H-resonator. In between the accelerating gaps, small electrostatic quadrupoles are mounted, which oppose the space charge forces of the intense ion beams. The lenses are arranged in a periodic focusing structure. A bucket-type plasma ion source is used, which produces both N + and N 2 + ions. In between the ion source and the MEQALAC section, a Low Energy Beam Transport (LEBT) section is mounted which provides for the drift space for a buncher. The latter device transforms the extracted dc beams into bunched beams which are accepted by the MEQALAC section. In ch. 4 the transport of ion beams that contain both N + and N 2 + ions, so-called mixed beams, through the LEBT section is discussed and equations for the current limit of a mixed beam are derived. Bunching of mixed N + , N 2 + beams is discussed in ch. 5. Multichannel acceleration of N + ions with the MEQALAC is discussed in ch. 6. (author). 122 refs.; 67 figs.; 1 tab

Single mode buried optical waveguides have been fabricated in fused silica by MeV proton implantation using a focussed hydrogen ion beam. The technique has the potential to direct write waveguide devices and produce multi-layered structures, without the need for intermediate steps such as mask fabrication or layered depositions. A micron resolution Confocal Raman Spectrometer has been used to map the distribution of atomic vacancies that forms the waveguiding region. The results are compared with theoretical calculations. Losses of 3 dB cm{sup -1} have been measured in unannealed samples, which decreases to less than 0.5 dB cm{sup -1} after annealing at 500 degrees Celsius. We describe methods for determining the refractive index distribution of single mode buried waveguides from their output intensity distributions via an inversion of the scalar wave equation. (authors). 5 figs.

Single mode buried optical waveguides have been fabricated in fused silica by MeV proton implantation using a focussed hydrogen ion beam. The technique has the potential to direct write waveguide devices and produce multi-layered structures, without the need for intermediate steps such as mask fabrication or layered depositions. A micron resolution Confocal Raman Spectrometer has been used to map the distribution of atomic vacancies that forms the waveguiding region. The results are compared with theoretical calculations. Losses of 3 dB cm{sup -1} have been measured in unannealed samples, which decreases to less than 0.5 dB cm{sup -1} after annealing at 500 degrees Celsius. We describe methods for determining the refractive index distribution of single mode buried waveguides from their output intensity distributions via an inversion of the scalar wave equation. (authors). 5 figs.

For the Proof-of-Principle test of negative ion acceleration up to 1 MeV, the beam energy required for ITER, a negative ion test facility named MeV Test Facility (MTF) and an ion source/accelerator have been designed and constructed. They are designed to produce a 1 MeV H- beam at a low source pressure of 0.13Pa. The MTF has a power supply system, which constituts of a 1MV, 1A, 60 s Cockcroft-Walton type dc high energy generator and power supplies for negative ion generation and extraction (ion source power supplies). The negative ion source/accelerator is composed of a cesiated volume source and a 5-stage, multi-aperture, electrostatic accelerator. The MTF and the ion source/accelerator have been completed, and the accelertion test up to 1 MeV of the H- ions has started. (orig.)

The present article reports on the results of our investigations of high-energy (MeV) ion irradiation on the microstructural and tribological properties of dc magnetron sputtered MoS 2 films. Films of thicknesses 500-7500 A were deposited on NaCl, Si and sapphire substrates and subsequently ion irradiated by 2 MeVAg + ions at a dose of 5x10 15 cm -2 . Scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Rutherford backscattering and X-ray diffraction techniques were utilized to study the structural, morphological and compositional changes of the film due to ion irradiation. The friction coefficient and sliding life were determined by pin-on-disc tests. Both as-deposited and ion-irradiated films were found to be amorphous having a stoichiometry of MoS 1.8 . A low friction coefficient in the range 0.03-0.04 was measured for both as-deposited and ion-irradiated films. However, the sliding life of ion-irradiated film was found to increase more than tenfold compared to as-deposited films indicating improved bonding at the interface. (orig.)

Ion beam mixing during 750 keV Kr + irradiation at 80 K was measured on a series of Ag-Pd alloys using Au marker atoms. The mixing in pure Ag was the greatest and it decreased monotonically with increasing Pd content, being a factor of 10 higher in pure Ag than in pure Pd. This large difference in mixing cannot be explained by the difference in cohesion energy between Ag and Pd in the thermodynamic model of ion beam mixing proposed by Johnson et al. [W. L. Johnson, Y. T. Cheng, M. Van Rossum, and M-A. Nicolet, Nucl. Instrum. Methods B 7/8, 657 (1985)]. An alternative model based on local melting in the cascade is shown to account for the ion beam mixing results in Ag and Pd

Intermediate-mass fragment studies were found to give an overview of the mechanisms involved in violent collisions between Ar and Ag at E/A = 27 MeV. A comparison is made with semi-classical calculations (Landau-Vlasov) which reproduce experimental observations well and sustain the persistence of dissipative processes at high incident relative velocity (∼ 0.2c)

Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry using MeVion excitation was applied to analyse modern paint materials containing synthetic organic pigments and binders. It was demonstrated that synthetic organic pigments and binder components with molecular masses in the m/z range from 1 to 1200 could be identified in different paint samples with a high efficiency and in a single measurement. Different ways of mounting of mostly insulating paint samples were tested prior to the analysis in order to achieve the highest possible yield of pigment main molecular ions. As Time-of-Flight mass spectrometer for MeV Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry is attached to the heavy ion microprobe, molecular imaging on cross-sections of small paint fragments was performed using focused ions. Due to the fact that molecules are extracted from the uppermost layer of the sample and to avoid surface contamination, the paint samples were not embedded in the resin as is usually done when imaging of paint samples using different techniques in the field of cultural heritage.

A dielectric matrix with embedded Si-nanoparticles may show strong luminescence depending on nanoparticles size, surface properties, Si-excess concentration and matrix type. Ion implantation of Si ions with energies of a few tens to hundreds of keV in a SiO{sub 2} matrix followed by thermal annealing was identified as a powerful method to form such nanoparticles. The aim of the present work is to optimize the synthesis of Si-nanoparticles produced by ion implantation in SiO{sub 2} by employing MeVion irradiation as an additional annealing process. The luminescence properties are measured by spectrally resolved photoluminescence including PL lifetime measurement, while X-ray reflectometry, atomic force microscopy and ion beam analysis are used to characterize the nanoparticle formation process. The results show that the samples implanted at 20%-Si excess atomic concentration display the highest luminescence and that irradiation of 36 MeV {sup 127}I ions affects the luminosity in terms of wavelength and intensity. It is also demonstrated that the nanoparticle luminescence lifetime decreases as a function of irradiation fluence. (copyright 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

The adhesion of thin films, and in particular the way in which such adhesion may be improved by irradiation, is rather poorly understood. The radiation enhanced adhesion effect has been investigated through the use of Ultra High Vacuum sample preparation, analysis and irradiation techniques, in order to gain control over surface and interface composition. In the systems studied, Au on Ta, Au on Si and Ag on Si, films deposited on atomically clean surfaces show good adhesion, and no evidence of enhancement due to irradiation is observed in the case of such clean interfaces. The results are entirely consistent with radiation enhanced adhesion being due to radiolytic effects on contaminant containing layers at the film/substrate interface. In addition, on silicon substrates the observations highlight the superiority of thermal cleaning over low energy sputtering as a route for producing a clean surface. A model of the radiation enhanced adhesion observations for dirty interface systems is developed, which takes into account the two dimensional nature of the ion energy deposition process. All the observations on such systems are broadly consistent with an activation energy for the process of approximately 5 eV. This value is sufficiently large to bring about chemical bonding rearrangement at the critical film/substrate interface. (Author)

Implanted biomedical prosthetic devices are intended to perform safely, reliably and effectively in the human body thus the materials used for orthopedic devices should have good biocompatibility. Ultra High Molecular Weight Poly Ethylene (UHMWPE) has been commonly used for total hip joint replacement because of its very good properties. In this work, UHMWPE samples were Ag and Ag+N ion implanted by using the Metal-Vapor Vacuum Arc (MEVVA) ion implantation technique. Samples were implanted with a fluency of 1017 ion/cm2 and extraction voltage of 30 kV. Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS) was used for surface studies. RBS showed the presence of Ag and N on the surface. Cell attachment properties investigated with model cell lines (L929 mouse fibroblasts) to demonstrate that the effect of Ag and Ag+N ion implantation can favorably influence the surface of UHMWPE for biomedical applications. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to demonstrate the cell attachment on the surface. Study has shown that Ag+N ion implantation represents more effective cell attachment properties on the UHMWPE surfaces.

In order to study structural, thermal and optical behavior, thin flat samples of polyethersulfone were irradiated with oxygen and silicon ions. The changes in properties were analyzed using different techniques viz: X-ray diffraction, thermo-gravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared, UV-visible and photoluminescence spectroscopy. A noticeable increase in the intensity of X-ray diffraction peaks was observed after irradiation with 84 MeV oxygen ions at low and medium fluences, which may be attributed to radiation-induced cross-linking in polymer. Fourier transform infrared and thermo-gravimetric analysis corroborated the results of X-ray diffraction analysis. No noticeable change in the Fourier transform infrared spectra of oxygen ion irradiated polyethersulfone were observed even at the highest fluence of 1 x 10 13 ions cm -2 , but after irradiation with silicon ions, a reduction in intensity of almost all characteristic bands was revealed. An increase in the activation energy of decomposition of polyethersulfone was observed after irradiation with 84 MeV oxygen ions up to medium fluences but degradation was revealed at higher fluences. Similar trends were observed by photoluminescence analysis.

The dynamics of the two partners produced in dissipative collisions has been experimentally studied for the system 40 Ar+Ag at 27 MeV per nucleon. Primary masses of the fragments can then be calculated; the excitation energy partition between the two fragments is derived from the number of particles evaporated by each fragment. We found that this division evolves from equipartition to a repartition close to thermal equilibrium in the excitation energy range 300-350 MeV or interaction times 5-10x10 -22 s. (orig.)

The magnitude and characteristics of the currents which flow in the target and the chamber of an MeVion backscattering spectrometer are examined. Measured energy distributions and the magnitude of high-energy secondary electron currents are reported. An empirical universal curve is shown to fit the energy distribution of secondary electrons for several combinations of ion energy, targets and ion species. The magnitude of tertiary electron currents which arise at the vacuum vessel walls is determined for various experimental situations and is shown to be non-negligible in many cases. An experimental arrangement is described which permits charge integrations to 1% arruracy without restricting access to the target as a Faraday cage does. (Auth.)

Confinement studies of MeVions will play an important role in the research leading to burning plasmas in tokamaks, since any significant radial transport of MeV alpha particles will affect the heating rate or heating profiles of these plasmas. Because the energy, gyroradius, and collisionality of these MeVions is very different from that of the background plasma, their transport rates cannot be assumed equal to those of the bulk plasma ions. Note that the desired confinement time for 3.5 MeV alphas is set by their thermalization time, which can be up to τ th,α ∼1 sec for the steady-state phase of ITER, requiring D 2 /sec. This is equivalent to over ∼100,000 alpha particle transits of the torus. 28 refs., 24 figs., 2 tabs

To simulate energetic neutron irradiation effects, yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) which is one of the major materials for electrical corrosion potential sensors (ECP sensors) was irradiated with heavy ions at energies ranging from 7.3 MeV to 2.2 GeV. Ion irradiation effects on the lattice structure were analyzed using the X-ray diffraction (XRD). The increase in lattice constant was induced by the ion irradiation. It was dominated by the elastic collision process and not by the electronic excitation process. The lattice disordering which was observed as a broadening of XRD peaks was also induced by the irradiation especially for 200 MeV Xe ion irradiation. The present result suggests that the expansion and/or the disordering of YSZ lattice induced by energetic neutrons may affect the durability of a joint interface between a metal housing and YSZ membrane for the usage of ECP sensors in nuclear power reactors.

The nature of cluster ion-surface interactions changes dramatically with the kinetic energy of the incoming cluster species. In this talk I review some of our recent work on the nature of cluster-surface interactions spanning an energy range from a few MeV/cluster to about 1 MeV/cluster and cluster sizes in the range of 10 - 1000 atoms/cluster. In the energy range of a few MeV/cluster ion, the kinetic energy of the incoming ion is insignificant compared to the energy gained when the surface potential energy at the cluster-surface interface is released and partly translated into kinetic energy. Even in this energy regime I show that surprisingly drastic effects can occur. When the energy of the incoming cluster is raised to a few eV/atom, the kinetic energy of the incoming cluster starts to affect the deposition. It will cause the cluster to entirely reform on impact. When the energy is raised to the range of keV's/cluster, the clusters start to penetrate the sample, fairly similar to conventional ion implantation. However, in dense targets the cluster ions may stick close to each other long enough to cause a significant enhancement of the heat spike in the material. Finally, I show that at kinetic energies around 1 MeV/cluster the cluster enhancement of the heat spike may lead to dramatic surface effects.

The loss of MeVions during 3 He ICRH minority heating experiments has been measured using scintillator detectors near the wall of TFTR. The observed MeVion losses to the bottom (90 degrees poloidal) detector are generally consistent with the expected first-orbit loss of D- 3 He alpha particle fusion products, with an inferred global reaction rate up to ∼10 16 reactions/sec. A qualitatively similar but unexpectedly large loss occurs 45 degrees poloidally below the outer midplane. This additional loss might be due to ICRH tail ions or to ICRH wave-induced loss of previously confined fusion products

With the recent commissioning of fixed target, heavy ion physics at the AGS, Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) has embarked on a long range program in support of relativistic heavy ion research. Acceleration of low mass heavy ions (up to sulfur) to an energy of about 14.5 GeV/nucleon is possible with the direct connection of the BNL Tandem Van de Graaff and AGS accelerators. When completed, the new booster accelerator will provide heavy ions over the full mass range for injection and subsequent acceleration in the AGS. BNL is now engaged in an active R and D program directed toward the proposed Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). The results of the first operation of the low mass heavy ion program will be reviewed, and future expectations discussed. The expected performance for the heavy ion operation of the booster will be described and finally, the current status and outlook for the RHIC facility will be presented

The impact of 30MeV boron 4+ and 60MeV oxygen 8+ ion irradiation on electrical characteristics of 2N3773 Si NPN Bipolar junction transistors (BJTs) is reported in the present study. The transistors were decapped and irradiated at room temperature. Gummel characteristics, DC current gain and Capacitance-voltage (C-V) characteristics were studied before and after irradiation at different fluences. DC current gain has decreased significantly in both boron and oxygen ion irradiation. Also the value of capacitance decreased 3-4 times with increase in fluence. Both 30MeV boron ion and 60MeV oxygen ion induced similar extent of degradation in electrical characteristics of the transistor

In order to clarify transmission properties of an ion beam extracted with various capillaries into the air, we have measured intensity distributions for the core and the halo components of MeVion beams using various capillaries. In addition, we have performed in-air-RBS and in-air-PIXE from the point of the application. At the conference, progress report of transmission properties of ion beams with various capillaries and its applications will be presented.

The 4π charged-particle multidetector AMPHORA has been used to study the reaction 40 Ar + nat Ag from 270 - 1,356 MeV. Charged-particle multiplicity distributions show a low-multiplicity group associated with peripheral collisions and a high multiplicity group associated with central collisions. Average multiplicities for central collisions increase with increasing projectile energy, indicating ever-increasing collision violence. Angular distributions of emitted protons are essentially isotorpic for θ ≥ 80 degree in a reference frame characterized by the empirical systematics of linear momentum transfer (i.e. ∼ 100% to ∼ 70% from 7-34 MeV/nucleon). Spectra of these protons at side angles are evaporation-like in shape and indicate relative effective temperatures of 3, 6, 8, and 12 MeV for beam energies of 7, 17, 27 and 34 MeV respectively. Azimuthal angular correlations between various pairs are consistent with spin-driven emission from emitter sources of reasonable spin values. In short, these results support a classical picture of extensively thermalized emitter nuclei even for initial excitation energies of ∼ 5 MeV per system nucleon and spins of ≥ 100ℎ

In this thesis the atomic structure of highly excited Ar 6+ and Ar 7+ ions was studied. For this 79 MeV Ar 5+ , 89 MeV Ar 6+ , and 136 MeV Ar 7+ ions of a heavy ion accelerator were excited by a He gas target to autoionizing states and the Auger electrons emitted in the decay were measured in highly-resolving state. The spectra were taken under an observational angle of zero degree relative to the beam axis in order to minimize the kinematical broadening of the Auger lines. (orig./HSI) [de

Protons emitted in coincidence with heavy residues have been measured, for the reaction 27 MeV per nucleon 40 Ar + nat Ag. From the proton velocity spectra, an anisotropic component was extracted, which shows a broad angular distribution, and a mean velocity larger than the beam velocity. Multiplicities for this component are low, about 0.8, independent of the violence of the collision. For central collisions, selected via the higher heavy residue velocities, the velocity characteristics of the anisotropic component, seen in this case as a pure preequilibrium component, were compared to semi-classical calculations (Landau-Vlasov)

Optical, electrical, and microstructural effects of Ar ion bombardment and Ar incorporation on thermally evaporated Ag and Al thin films are investigated. The results show that as the momentum supplied to the growing films by the bombarding ions per arriving metal atom increases, the refractive index at 632.8 nm increases and the extinction coefficient decreases, lattice spacing expands, grain size decreases, electrical resistivity increases, and trapped Ar increases slightly. In Ag films, stress reverses from tensile to compressive and in Al films compressive stress increases. In the Al films the change in optical constants can be explained by the variation in void volume. The reversal of stress from tensile to compressive in Ag films requires a threshold level of momentum. The increase in electrical resistivity is related to the decrease in grain size and increase in trapped Ar in both types of film. Many of these properties correlate well with the momentum transferred, suggesting that the momentum is an important physical parameter in describing the influence of ion beam on growing thin films and determining the characteristics of thin metal films prepared by ion assisted deposition

Transmission electron microscopy was used to study radiation damage as a function of depth caused by 58 and 4-MeV 58 Ni and 1-MeV He ions in copper single crystals at ambient temperature. The experimental damage density vs penetration depth distributions were compared with calculations based on the atomic collision theory of Lindhard et al. (LSS). For 58-MeV Ni ions, the calculated damage profile using the theoretical LSS value of the electronic stopping parameter (k = 0.167) agrees well with experiment. However, for 4-MeV Ni ions it is necessary to use k = 0.12 to get agreement with the experimental data. In the case of 1-MeV He, the depth location of the calculated damage peak is in good agreement with experiment when the electronic stopping determined by Chu and Powers is used whereas it is about 15 percent too close to the surface using the tables of Northcliffe and Schilling. (auth)

In recent years, tapered glass capillary ion beam focusing is developing rapidly. It is attractive for simple, compact, low cost and easy use. However, the focusing mechanism for MeVion beams is still indistinct. We present several experimental results of focusing 2 MeV He + beam. Ion beams were focused by tapered glass capillaries with various outlet inner diameters from several micron to hundred micron. The current densities, angle divergences and energy spectra of the transmitted ion beams are measured. The results proved that 2 MeV He + ions can focused and guided by our capillaries. The energy spectra show that a great part of transmitted ions experienced obvious energy loss, which is different from results of others research groups. We discussed the reason and charged it to the larger incident angle. Considered the incident ions with larger incident angle, the charge will distribute in a layer of micro meter depth in the capillary’s inner wall, but not the surface. The energy loss and many other spectra characters can be explained in this way.

We analyze microstructure, linear and nonlinear optical properties of planar waveguides produced by implantation of MeVAgions into LiNbO 3 . Linear optical properties are described by the parameters of waveguide propagation modes and optical absorption spectra. Nonlinear properties are described by the nonlinear refractive index. Operation of the implanted crystal as an optical waveguide is due to modification of the linear refractive index of the implanted region. The samples as implanted do not show any light-guiding. The implanted region has amorphous and porous microstructure with the refractive index lower than the substrate. Heat treatment of the implanted samples produces planar light-guiding layer near the implanted surface. High-resolution electron microscopy reveals re-crystallization of the host between the surface and the nuclear stopping region in the form of randomly oriented crystalline grains. They make up a light-guiding layer isolated from the bulk crystal by the nuclear stopping layer with low refractive index. Optical absorption of the sample as implanted has a peak at 430 nm. This peak is due to the surface plasmon resonance in nano-clusters of metallic silver. Heat treatment of the samples shifts the absorption peak to 545 nm. This is more likely due to the increase of the refractive index back to the value for the crystalline LiNbO 3 . The nonlinear refractive index of the samples at 532 nm (of the order of 10 -10 cm 2 W -1 ) was measured with the Z-scan technique using a picosecond laser source. Possible applications of the waveguides include ultra-fast photonic switches and modulators

The dry and water-saturated seeds of Arabidopsis thaliana were irradiated by H + ions with 6.5 MeV in atmosphere. The ion fluence used in this experiment was in the range of 4 x 10 9 -1 x 10 14 ions/cm 2 . According to the structure of the seed and TRIM simulation, the ions with the energy of 6.5 MeV can penetrate the whole seed. The experiment shows that the fluence-response curves for the dry seeds and water-saturated seeds had distinct shoulders and reduced rapidly. The experimental results show that the water-imbibed seeds were more sensitive than the dry seeds and the reason is from free radicals reaction. A model has been constructed, and primely simulates the experiment data. (authors)

A comprehensive study of MeV- 15 N-ion-implanted InP by a variety of analytical techniques has revealed the physical processes involved in MeVion implantation into III-V compound semiconductors as well as the influence of post-implantation annealing. It provides a coherent picture of implant distribution, structural transition, crystalline damage, and lattice strain in InP crystals induced by ion implantation and thermal annealing. The experimental results from the different measurements are summarized in this report. Mechanisms of amorphization by implantation and recrystallization through annealing in MeV-ion-implanted InP are proposed and discussed in light of the results obtained

A cylindrical energy analyzer with drift spaces is shown to have a second order focusing for beam incident angle when the deflection angle is properly chosen. The analyzer has a possibility to be applied to MeV range heavy ion beam probes, and will be also available for accurate particle energy measurements in many other fields. (author)

The paper presents results concerning studies of X-radiation from 2 MeVion electrostatic accelerator 'Sokol' used for nuclear microprobe analysis. The radiation protection system of the accelerator was developed and tested. Tests of the system of the accelerator show that it reduces doses rate by two orders of magnitude

The effects of high-energy ion beam irradiation on polyester (PET) films using a 3 MeV tandem-type ion beam accelerator were studied. O, Ni, Pt, and Au as ion species were irradiated at 10 14 -10 15 ions/cm 2 on 50 μm thick PET films. Physical properties and molecular structure changes were studied by the surface resistivity measurements and RBS. The surface resistivity decreases with an increase in irradiation dose. At 10 15 ions/cm 2 irradiation, the surface resistivity is 10 8 Ω/□. According to RBS and XPS analyses, some carbon and oxygen atoms in the PET are replaced by implanted ions and the -C=O bonds are destroyed easily by the ion beam. (orig.)

Highlights: • Two steps electrochemical synthesis for the fabrication of Ag-polypyrrole composite films. • Surface modifications by swift heavy ion beam. • SEM image shows the formation of craters and humps after irradiation. • Detailed structural analysis by Raman spectroscopy. - Abstract: The general aim of this work was to study the effects of swift heavy ions on the properties of electrochemically synthesized Ag-polypyrrole composite thin films. Initially, polypyrrole (PPy) films were electrochemically synthesized on indium tin oxide coated glass surfaces using a chronopotentiometery technique, at optimized process conditions. The prepared PPy films have functioned as working electrodes for the decoration of submicron Ag particles on the surface of the PPy films through a cyclicvoltammetry technique. Towards probing the effect of swift heavy ion irradiation on the structural and morphological properties, the composite films were subjected to a 40 MeV Li 3+ ion beam irradiation for various fluences (1 × 10 11 , 1 × 10 12 and 1 × 10 13 ions/cm 2 ). Comparative microstructural investigations were carried out after the different ion fluences using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and micro-Raman spectroscopy techniques. Raman and SEM studies revealed that the structure of the films became disordered after irradiation. The SEM studies of irradiated composite films show significant changes in their surface morphologies. The surface was smoother at lower fluence but craters were observed at higher fluence

Highlights: • Two steps electrochemical synthesis for the fabrication of Ag-polypyrrole composite films. • Surface modifications by swift heavy ion beam. • SEM image shows the formation of craters and humps after irradiation. • Detailed structural analysis by Raman spectroscopy. - Abstract: The general aim of this work was to study the effects of swift heavy ions on the properties of electrochemically synthesized Ag-polypyrrole composite thin films. Initially, polypyrrole (PPy) films were electrochemically synthesized on indium tin oxide coated glass surfaces using a chronopotentiometery technique, at optimized process conditions. The prepared PPy films have functioned as working electrodes for the decoration of submicron Ag particles on the surface of the PPy films through a cyclicvoltammetry technique. Towards probing the effect of swift heavy ion irradiation on the structural and morphological properties, the composite films were subjected to a 40 MeV Li{sup 3+} ion beam irradiation for various fluences (1 × 10{sup 11}, 1 × 10{sup 12} and 1 × 10{sup 13} ions/cm{sup 2}). Comparative microstructural investigations were carried out after the different ion fluences using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and micro-Raman spectroscopy techniques. Raman and SEM studies revealed that the structure of the films became disordered after irradiation. The SEM studies of irradiated composite films show significant changes in their surface morphologies. The surface was smoother at lower fluence but craters were observed at higher fluence.

Energy loss and energy straggling of energetic ions through natural dehydrated biological samples were investigated using transmission technique. Biological samples (onion membrane, egg coat, and tomato coat) with different mass thickness were studied, together with Mylar for comparison. The energy loss and energy straggling of MeV H and He ions after penetrating the biological and Mylar samples were measured. The experimental results show that the average energy losses of MeVions through the biological samples are consistent with SRIM predictions; however, large deviation in energy straggling is observed between the measured results and the SRIM predictions. Taking into account inhomogeneity in mass density and structure of the biological sample, an energy straggling formula is suggested, and the experimental energy straggling values are well predicted by the proposed formula

A lithographic facility for writing patterns with ion beams from cyclotron beams is under development for the Jyvaeskylae cyclotron. Instead of focusing and deflecting the beam with electrostatic and magnetic fields a different approach is used. Here a small rectangular beam spot is defined by the shadow of a computer-controlled variable aperture in close proximity to the sample. This allows parallel exposure of rectangular pattern elements of 5-500 {mu}m side with protons up to 6 MeV and heavy ions ({sup 20}Ne, {sup 85}Kr) up to few 100 MeV. Here we present a short overview of the system under construction and development of the aperture design, which is a critical aspect for all ion beam lithography systems.

The UO 2 (111) surface was studied using MeVions incident along the and directions. In addition, this surface was well characterized by LEED and Auger analysis. A resonance at 3.05 MeV for 4 He elastic scattering from 16 O made it possible to study the surface peaks for uranium and oxygen simultaneously. By combining previous surface studies with detailed analysis of the surface peaks and rocking curves for this compound material, an outward relaxation of 0.19 A +- 0.01 A was determined for uranium

Heat capacities and ac conductivities of AgI-based fast ion conducting glasses of AgI-Ag2O-P2O5 and AgI-Ag2O-B2O3 systems with different P-O or B-O network structures but with the same AgI concentration of 1.55×104 mol m-3 were measured in the temperature range 14-400 K and in the temperature and frequency ranges 100-200 K and 10 Hz-1 MHz, respectively. The β-glass transition due to a freezing-in of the rearrangement of Ag+ ions was observed by adiabatic calorimetry for the glasses in the liquid-nitrogen temperature region, and the conductometry was suggested to see the same mode of Ag+-ion motion as the calorimetry. It was found that the development of the network structure of the glass former at constant AgI concentration resulted in the decrease of the β-glass transition temperature and the activation energy for the diffusional motion of Ag+ ions and in the increase of the heat-capacity jump associated with the glass transition. The results support the amorphous AgI aggregate model for the structure of the conductive region in the glasses with relatively high AgI compositions, indicating that Ag+-ion conductivity is mainly dominated by the degree of development of the AgI aggregate region dependent on the glass-former network structure as well as the AgI composition.

Scanning transmission ion microscopy (STIM) through measurement of energy loss of individual ions is a quantitative imaging technique with several unique capabilities. The uniqueness derives conjointly from the large penetration with small scattering of MeVions in low-Z specimens, from the simple relationship between energy loss and projected or areal density, and from the almost 100% efficiency with which one obtains pixel data from individual ions. Since contrast is in energy loss and not in numbers of events, the statistics of energy loss straggling affects the image but the statistics of counting does not. Small scattering makes it possible to observe details within transparent specimens. High efficiency makes it possible to collect large data sets for computed tomography, stereo, or high-definition imaging with a small radiation dose. High efficiency allows one to minimize aberrations by use of small apertures, to achieve good precision in the determination of areal density, or even to image live biological specimens in air since only one or a few ions per pixel are required. This paper includes a bibliography on STIM with MeVions, it discusses the accuracy that one can achieve in the areal density coloring of a pixel with data from one or a few ions, and it supplements that review with recent examples from the Melbourne and the Eugene microprobes. (orig.)

It has been shown that ions, trapped inside the beam's potential, can be removed by the clearing electrodes when the amplitude of the ion oscillation is increased by vertically shaking the ions. We will report on a similar experiment in the 200 Mev XLS ring. The design of the ion clearing system for the ring and the first results obtained, were already reported. In the present series of experiments, RF voltage was applied on a pair of vertical strip-lines. The frequency was scanned in the range of the ion (from H 2 to CO 2 ) bounce frequencies in the ring (1--10 MHz). The response of the beam size, vertical betatron tune and lifetime was studied

Full Text Available The superior antimicrobial properties of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs are well-documented, but the exact mechanisms underlying Ag-NP microbial toxicity remain the subject of intense debate. Here, we show that Ag-NP concentrations as low as 10 ppm exert significant toxicity against Bacillus subtilis, a beneficial bacterium ubiquitous in the soil. Growth arrest and chromosomal DNA degradation were observed, and flow cytometric quantification of propidium iodide (PI staining also revealed that Ag-NP concentrations of 25 ppm and above increased membrane permeability. RedoxSensor content analysis and Phag-GFP expression analysis further indicated that reductase activity and cytosolic protein expression decreased in B. subtilis cells treated with 10-50 ppm of Ag NPs. We conducted X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS analyses to directly clarify the valence and fine structure of Ag atoms in B. subtilis cells placed in contact with Ag NPs. The results confirmed the Ag species in Ag NP-treated B. subtilis cells as Ag2O, indicating that Ag-NP toxicity is likely mediated by released Ag+ ions from Ag NPs, which penetrate bacterial cells and are subsequently oxidized intracellularly to Ag2O. These findings provide conclusive evidence for the role of Ag+ ions in Ag-NP microbial toxicity, and suggest that the impact of inappropriately disposed Ag NPs to soil and water ecosystems may warrant further investigation.

Accelerator based MeVion implantation of Ca 2+ and P 2+ into the titanium substrate to form hydroxyapatite (HA) has been carried out. Calcium hydroxide was formed after heating the calcium implanted titanium in air at 80 o C for 3 h. Upon subsequent annealing for 5 min at 600 o C HA was formed on the surface. Penetration depth of the HA layer in this method is much higher as compared to keV ion implantation. By elemental analysis, Ca/P ratio of the HA was found to be 1.76 which is higher than the ideal 1.67. This higher Ca/P ratio is attributed to the higher penetration depth of the MeV technique used.

The first part of this thesis presents work performed on the ionizing energy beam induced adhesion enhancement of thin (approx.500 A) Au films on GaAs substrates. The ionizing beam, employed in the present thesis, is the MeVions (i.e., 16 O, 19 F, and 35 Cl), with energies between 1 and 20 MeV. Using the Scratch test for adhesion measurement, and ESCA for chemical analysis of the film substrate interface, the native oxide layer at the interface is shown to play an important role in the adhesion enhancement by the ionizing radiation. A model is discussed that explains the experimental data on the dependence of adhesion enhancement on the energy which was deposited into electronic processes at the interface. The second part of the thesis presents research results on the radiation damage in GaAs crystals produced by MeVions. Lattice parameter dilatation in the surface layers of the GaAs crystals becomes saturated after a high dose bombardment at room temperature. The strain produced by nuclear collisions is shown to relax partially due to electronic excitation (with a functional dependence on the nuclear and electronic stopping power of bombarding ions. Data on the GaAs and GaP crystals suggest that low temperature recovery stage defects produce major crystal distortion

Highlights: • We study the electronic degradation of semiconductors induced by ion irradiation. • The experimental protocol is based on MeVion microbeam irradiation. • The radiation induced damage is measured by IBIC. • The general model fits the experimental data in the low level damage regime. • Key parameters relevant to the intrinsic radiation hardness are extracted. - Abstract: This paper investigates both theoretically and experimentally the charge collection efficiency (CCE) degradation in silicon diodes induced by energetic ions. Ion Beam Induced Charge (IBIC) measurements carried out on n- and p-type silicon diodes which were previously irradiated with MeV He ions show evidence that the CCE degradation does not only depend on the mass, energy and fluence of the damaging ion, but also depends on the ion probe species and on the polarization state of the device. A general one-dimensional model is derived, which accounts for the ion-induced defect distribution, the ionization profile of the probing ion and the charge induction mechanism. Using the ionizing and non-ionizing energy loss profiles resulting from simulations based on the binary collision approximation and on the electrostatic/transport parameters of the diode under study as input, the model is able to accurately reproduce the experimental CCE degradation curves without introducing any phenomenological additional term or formula. Although limited to low level of damage, the model is quite general, including the displacement damage approach as a special case and can be applied to any semiconductor device. It provides a method to measure the capture coefficients of the radiation induced recombination centres. They can be considered indexes, which can contribute to assessing the relative radiation hardness of semiconductor materials.

Measurement and analysis were made for radiation damages in silicon induced by MeVions. A single crystal silicon was bombarded by 800 keV O + and 700 keV Si + with the dose from 2x10 15 up to 8x10 15 cm -2 . And defects induced by the ion bombardments were observed by the channeling method. Some new modifications were made to the analysis of the channeling RBS spectrum so that the accuracy of the unfolded defect distribution may be improved. A new model of point-defect clustering and amorphous formation was proposed, which well reproduced the observed defect distribution in silicon. (author)

Highlights: ► In 2 Te 3 phase formed from In/Te bilayer by 130 MeV Au ion irradiation. ► Lower fluence results mixed phases with initial state of dewetting. ► At higher fluence, In 2 Te 3 phase with complete dewetting pattern is formed. ► Thermal spike model is used to explain the inter face mixing phenomena. ► SHI irradiation may be used to functionalize the structural and surface properties of thin films. - Abstract: In/Te bilayer thin films were prepared by sequential thermal evaporation and subsequently irradiated by 130 MeV Au ions. The pristine and irradiated samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) techniques. RBS spectra reveal the sputtering of Te film and interface mixing, with increasing fluence. The surface morphology showed the beginning of dewetting of Te thin film and formation of the partially connected with the mixed zones at the fluence of 1 × 10 13 ions/cm 2 . At the higher fluence of 3 × 10 13 ions/cm 2 , dewetted structures were isolated at the surface. Above results are explained based on the formation of craters, sputtering and dewetting followed by inter-diffusion at the interface of molten zones due to thermal spike induced by Au ions.

Swift heavy ions with MeV to GeV kinetic energy offer unique possibilities of modifying material properties. Each projectile passing through the target material causes loss of its energy by ion-electrons and ion-atoms interaction with the target material. The consequence of formal one is to change in surface properties and latter to produces damage deep in the target material near the projected range of projectile. In the present work, indium phosphide samples were irradiated at 100 MeV 56 Fe 9+ ions with different fluences varying from 1x10 12 to 1x10 14 ions cm -2 using the 15UD Pelletron facilities at Inter University Accelerator Centre (IUAC), New Delhi. Grazing angle X-ray diffraction technique was used to investigate the structural properties of irradiated indium phosphide at different depths. The GXRD spectra of non-irradiated and irradiated samples were recorded at different grazing angle i.e 1°, 2°, 3°, 4° and 5° to get the structural information over the projected range. The detailed result will be presented and discussed in the conference. (author)

This paper provides the description and beam properties of ion sources suitable for use with ion implantation devices. Particular emphasis is placed on the emittance and brightness properties of state-of-the-art, high intensity, negative ion sources based on the cesium ion sputter principle

Carbon ions beam is recently recognized as an ideal cancer treatment modality, because of its excellent local tumor control. These ions have a high relative biological effectiveness resulting from high linear energy transfer (LET) and their sharp Bragg peak. However, the dose of those energetic ions needs to be measured with great precision using a proper dosimeter. Aluminum Oxide (Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}) is a highly luminescent phosphor widely used for radiation dosimetry using thermoluminesence (TL) technique. In this work nanoparticles of this material activated by different elements like Eu, Tb, Dy, Cu and Ag were evaluated for their TL response to gamma rays irradiation. Tb doped sample is found to be the most sensitive sample, which could be selected for exposure to 85 MeV C{sup 6+} ion beam in the fluence range 10{sup 9}–10{sup 13} ions/cm{sup 2}. The obtained result shows that C ion beam irradiated sample has a simple glow curve structure with a prominent glow peak at around 230 °C. This glow curve has a dosimetric peak better than those induced by gamma rays. This glow peak exhibits a linear response in the range 10{sup 9}–10{sup 11} ions/cm{sup 2}, corresponding to the equivalent absorbed doses 0.285–28.5 kGy. The absorbed doses, penetration depths and main energy loss were calculated using TRIM code based on the Monte Carlo simulation. The wide linear response of Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}:Tb nanoparticles along with the low fading makes this low cost nanomaterial a good candidate for C ion beam dosimetry. - Highlights: • Nanoparticles of Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} doped with Eu, Tb, Dy, Cu and Ag were synthesised. • They were evaluated for their TL response to gamma rays and C ion beam irradiation. • Tb doped sample is the most sensitive sample to gamma rays. • Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}:Tb was exposed to 85 MeV C{sup 6+} ion beam in the fluence range 10{sup 9}-10{sup 13} ions/cm{sup 2}. • The glow peak induced by C ions has a linear response in the range 10{sup 9

Carbon ions beam is recently recognized as an ideal cancer treatment modality, because of its excellent local tumor control. These ions have a high relative biological effectiveness resulting from high linear energy transfer (LET) and their sharp Bragg peak. However, the dose of those energetic ions needs to be measured with great precision using a proper dosimeter. Aluminum Oxide (Al 2 O 3 ) is a highly luminescent phosphor widely used for radiation dosimetry using thermoluminesence (TL) technique. In this work nanoparticles of this material activated by different elements like Eu, Tb, Dy, Cu and Ag were evaluated for their TL response to gamma rays irradiation. Tb doped sample is found to be the most sensitive sample, which could be selected for exposure to 85 MeV C 6+ ion beam in the fluence range 10 9 –10 13 ions/cm 2 . The obtained result shows that C ion beam irradiated sample has a simple glow curve structure with a prominent glow peak at around 230 °C. This glow curve has a dosimetric peak better than those induced by gamma rays. This glow peak exhibits a linear response in the range 10 9 –10 11 ions/cm 2 , corresponding to the equivalent absorbed doses 0.285–28.5 kGy. The absorbed doses, penetration depths and main energy loss were calculated using TRIM code based on the Monte Carlo simulation. The wide linear response of Al 2 O 3 :Tb nanoparticles along with the low fading makes this low cost nanomaterial a good candidate for C ion beam dosimetry. - Highlights: • Nanoparticles of Al 2 O 3 doped with Eu, Tb, Dy, Cu and Ag were synthesised. • They were evaluated for their TL response to gamma rays and C ion beam irradiation. • Tb doped sample is the most sensitive sample to gamma rays. • Al 2 O 3 :Tb was exposed to 85 MeV C 6+ ion beam in the fluence range 10 9 -10 13 ions/cm 2 . • The glow peak induced by C ions has a linear response in the range 10 9 -10 11 ions/cm 2

With the attainment of sub-100 nm high energy (MeV) ion beams, comes the opportunity to image cells and tissue at nano-dimensions. The advantage of MeVion imaging is that the ions will penetrate whole cells, or relatively thick tissue sections, without any significant loss of resolution. In this paper, we demonstrate that whole cells (cultured N2A neuroblastoma cells ATCC) and tissue sections (rabbit pancreas tissue) can be imaged at sub-100 nm resolutions using scanning transmission ion microscopy (STIM), and that sub-cellular structural details can be identified. In addition to STIM imaging we have also demonstrated for the first time, that sub-cellular proton induced fluorescence imaging (on cultured N2A neuroblastoma cells ATCC) can also be carried out at resolutions of 200 nm, compared with 300-400 nm resolutions achieved by conventional optical fluorescence imaging. The combination of both techniques offers a potentially powerful tool in the quest for elucidating cell function, particularly when it should be possible in the near future to image down to sub-50 nm.

Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Agions irradiation enhances the electrocatalytic activity of carbon nano tubes. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The low fluence of irradiation caused the ordering of carbon nano tubes. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Simultaneous determination of epinephrine and 5-hydroxytryptamine has been carried out. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The determination of the neurotransmitters in human blood and urine is reported. - Abstract: A promising and highly sensitive voltammetric method has been developed for the first time for the determination of epinephrine (EP) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) using 120 MeVAgion irradiated multi-walled carbon nano tube (MWCNT) based sensor. The MWCNT were irradiated at various fluences of 1e12, 3e12 and 1e13 ions cm{sup -2} using palletron accelerator. The simultaneous determination of EP and 5-HT has been carried out in phosphate buffer solution of pH 7.20 using square wave voltammetry and cyclic voltammetry. Experimental results suggested that irradiation of MWCNT by Agions enhanced the electrocatalytic activity due to increase in effective surface area and insertion of Agions, leading to a remarkable enhancement in peak currents and shift of peak potentials to less positive values as compared to the unirradiated MWCNT (pristine). The developed sensor exhibited a linear relationship between peak current and concentration of EP and 5-HT in the range 0.1-105 {mu}M with detection limit (3{sigma}/b) of 2 nM and 0.75 nM, respectively. The practical utility of irradiation based MWCNT sensor has been demonstrated for the determination of EP and 5-HT in human urine and blood samples.

Polymer films containing cross linking enhancers were irradiated with MeV alpha particles to determine the effects of MeVion beam interaction on these materials. The contributed effects from the electronic and nuclear stopping powers were separated by irradiating stacked thin films of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS) and polyethersulfone (PES). This layered system allowed most of the effects of the electronic energy deposited to be experienced by the first layers and the last layers to receive most of the effects of the nuclear stopping power. RGA, Raman microprobe analysis, RBS and FTIR measured changes in the chemical structures of the irradiated films. The characterization resolved the effects of the stopping powers on the PVC, PS and PES and the results were compared with those from previously studied polymers that did not contain any cross linking agents

Energy losses of 1-MeV H 2 + ions passing through carbon foils of 2-8 μg/cm 2 thickness have been measured and show besides the linear increase with target thickness a 0.4 keV offset. The stopping power derived from the observed energy losses is 1.15 times as large as the sum of the stopping powers for two single H + of the same velocity. Calculations of the stopping powers for H 2 + ions and diprotons, using first Born approximation, indicate that the H 2 + ions lose the binding electron upon entrance into the foil, traverse the target as diprotons and recapture target electrons at the exit surface, a scenario also supported by the 0.4 keV offset at zero thickness. (author)

The scenario of “electron-capture and -loss” was recently proposed for the formation of negative ion and neutral atom beams with MeV kinetic energies. However, it does not explain why the formation of negative ions in a liquid spray is much more efficient than with an isolated atom. The role of atomic excited states in the charge-exchange processes is considered, and it is shown that it cannot account for the observed phenomena. The processes are more complex than the single electron-capture and -loss approach. It is suggested that the shell effects in the electronic structure of the projectile ion and/or target atoms may influence the capture/loss probabilities.

The scenario of “electron-capture and -loss” was recently proposed for the formation of negative ion and neutral atom beams with MeV kinetic energies. However, it does not explain why the formation of negative ions in a liquid spray is much more efficient than with an isolated atom. The role of atomic excited states in the charge-exchange processes is considered, and it is shown that it cannot account for the observed phenomena. The processes are more complex than the single electron-capture and -loss approach. It is suggested that the shell effects in the electronic structure of the projectile ion and/or target atoms may influence the capture/loss probabilities

Highlights: • Changes in structural and optical properties of TiN films induced by Agions. • The formation of Ag metallic clusters inside of TiN layers was observed. • The SPR of Ag particles was confirmed by a broad band in the spectra. • As the Agions fluence increases the n also increase and k values decrease. • With increasing ion fluence the TiN film becomes more metallic. - Abstract: Titanium nitride (TiN) thin films thickness of ∼260 nm prepared by dc reactive sputtering were irradiated with 200 keV silver (Ag) ions to the fluences ranging from 5 × 10{sup 15} ions/cm{sup 2} to 20 × 10{sup 15} ions/cm{sup 2}. After implantation TiN layers were annealed 2 h at 700 °C in a vacuum. Ion irradiation-induced microstructural changes were examined by using Rutherford backscattering spectrometry, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy, while the surface topography was observed using atomic force microscopy. Spectroscopic ellipsometry was employed to get insights on the optical and electronic properties of TiN films with respect to their microstructure. The results showed that the irradiations lead to deformation of the lattice, increasing disorder and formation of new Ag phase. The optical results demonstrate the contribution of surface plasmon resonace (SPR) of Ag particles. SPR position shifted in the range of 354.3–476.9 nm when Agion fluence varied from 5 × 10{sup 15} ions/cm{sup 2} to 20 × 10{sup 15} ions/cm{sup 2}. Shift in peak wavelength shows dependence on Ag particles concentration, suggesting that interaction between Ag particles dominate the surface plasmon resonance effect. Presence of Ag as second metal in the layer leads to overall decrease of optical resistivity of TiN.

The measurements of typical parameters on heavy ions penetration through matter presented in this work have been performed at the GANIL accelerator facility, using the LISE magnetic spectrometer from 20 to 100 MeV per nucleon. Two magnetic optical configurations of the spectrometer LISE corresponding respectively to energy and angle analysis, have been used. In the first configuration, the analysis of the energy loss distribution, caused by the interaction of the heavy ions beam with the target material, permit to determine the stopping power and the energy straggling. The stopping power is defined experimentally by the ratio of the average energy loss in the target to the thickness of this one. This quantity has been measured for a set of heavy ions ( 17 O, 40 Ar, 86 Kr and 132 Xe) in gaseous media (H 2 , He, N 2 , Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe, CH 4 , C 4 H 10 , CO 2 and CF 4 ) and compared to semi-empirical tabulations. These determinations are compared to those obtained in solid media to study the evolution of the solid-gas difference. This effect vanishes progressively when the projectile tends to be totally stripped (the charge state becomes identical to the atomic number). The heavy ion energy distributions at the exit of degraders and particularly their full width at half maximum have been measured for various projectiles ( 16 O, 40 Ar, 84 Kr, 86 Kr, 100 Mo and 132 Xe) in solid (Be, C, Al, Si, Ti, Ni, Cu, Ag, Ta, Au and Mylar) and gaseous media (the same as for stopping power determinations). A significant contribution of charge exchange straggling to the energy loss straggling is observed for partially stripped ions. A second optical configuration of the beam line LISE has been used, to obtain an image of heavy ions beams passing through targets for various heavy ions ( 16 O, 17 O, 40 Ar, 86 Kr and 100 Mo) in gaseous and solid media. The scaling law for angular straggling is confirmed and extended over five orders of magnitude [fr

Ag(+) ion-exchanged layered aluminum dihydrogen triphosphate (AlP) with the interlayer distance of 0.85 nm was synthesized by the ion-exchange of proton in triphosphate with Ag(+) ion. The amount of exchanged Ag(+) ion depended on the concentration of AgNO(3) aqueous solution. Ag(+) ion-exchanged AlP adsorbed gaseous thiols and sulfides into the interlayer region. The adsorption amounts of thiols were more than those of sulfides, thiols with one mercapto group > thiol with two mercapto groups > sulfides, and depended on the amount of exchanged Ag(+) ion in the interlayer region. The thiols with one mercapto group were intercalated to expand the interlayer distance of Ag(+) ion-exchanged AlP, whereas there was no expansion in the adsorption of sulfide. In the case of thiol with two mercapto groups, there was observed contraction of the interlayer distance through the bridging with Ag(+) ions of the upper and lower sides of the interlayer region.

We have shown that argon ion irradiation between 1 and 15 MeV produces damage on both titanium and zirconium surfaces, taking the form of accelerated oxidation and/or craterization effects, varying as a function of the projectile energy and the annealing atmosphere (temperature and pressure) simulating the environmental conditions of the fuel/cladding interface of PWR fuel rods. Using AFM, we have shown that the titanium and zirconium surface is attacked under light argon ion bombardment at high temperature (up to 500 C) in weakly oxidizing medium (under rarefied dry air pressure ranging from 5,7 10 -5 Pa to 5 10 -3 Pa) for a fixed fluence of about 5 10 14 ions.cm -2 . We observed the formation of nano-metric craters over the whole titanium surface irradiated between 2 and 9 MeV and the whole zirconium surface irradiated at 4 MeV, the characteristics of which vary depending on the temperature and the pressure. In the case of the Ar/Ti couple, the superficial damage efficiency increases when the projectile energy decreases from 9 to 2 MeV. Moreover, whereas the titanium surface seems to be transparent under the 15-MeVion beam, the zirconium surface exhibits numerous micrometric craters surrounded by a wide halo. The crater characteristics (size and superficial density) differ significantly from that observed both in the low energy range (keV) where the energy losses are controlled by ballistic collisions (Sn) and in the high energy range (MeV - GeV) where the energy losses are controlled by electronic excitations (Se), which was not completely unexpected in this intermediate energy range for which combined Sn - Se stopping power effects are possibly foreseen. Using XPS associated to ionic sputtering, we have shown that there is an irradiation effect on thermal oxidation of titanium, enhanced under the argon ion beam between 2 and 9 MeV, and that there is also an energy effect on the oxide thickness and stoichiometry. The study conducted using Spectroscopic

Recent studies on the dissociation of fast (MeV) molecular ion beams in thin foils suggest a novel alternative approach to the determination of molecular ion structures. In this article we review some recent high-resolution studies on the interactions of fast molecular ion beams with solid and gaseous targets and indicate how such studies may be applied to the problem of determining molecular ion structures. The main features of the Coulomb explosion of fast-moving molecular ion projectiles and the manner in which Coulomb-explosion techniques may be applied to the problem (difficult to attack by more conventional means) of determining the stereochemical structures of molecular ions has been described in this paper. Examples have been given of early experiments designed to elicit structure information. The techniques are still in their infancy, and it is to be expected that as both the technology and the analysis are refined, the method will make valuable contributions to the determination of molecular ion structures

The surface and near-surface composition of SiO 2 layers, has been investigated by negative secondary ion emission mass spectrometry (SIMS) using MeV and KeV ion bombardment in combination with time-of-flight (TOF) mass analysis. The spectra recorded in the mass range 0-100 u are dominated by surface impurities, notably hydrocarbons and silicon polyanions incorporating H and OH entities. The characteristic (fragmentation) patterns are quite different for light and high-velocity ion impact. In high-velocity TOF-SIMS analysis of P-doped layers, prepared by chemical vapour deposition (CVD), the mass lines at 63 and 79 u are very prominent and appear to correlate with the phosphorus concentration (PO 2 and PO 3 , respectively). It is shown, however, that for unambiguous P analysis one has to use dynamic SIMS or high mass resolution. (author) 11 refs., 5 figs

Direct-Scanning Transmission Ion Microscopy (Direct-STIM) is a powerful technique that yields structural information in sub-cellular whole cell imaging. Usually, a Si p-i-n diode is used in Direct-STIM measurements as a detector. In order to overcome the detrimental effects of radiation damage which appears as a broadening in the energy resolution, we have developed a gas ionisation detector for use with a focused ion beam. The design is based on the ETH Frisch grid-less off-axis Geiger–Müller geometry. It is developed for use in a MeVion microscope with a standard Oxford Microbeams triplet lens and scanning system. The design has a large available solid angle for other detectors (e.g. proton induced fluorescence). Here we report the performance for imaging ReNcells VM with μm resolution where energy resolutions of <24 keV fwhm could be achieved for 1 MeV protons using isobutane gas

The technique of Nuclear Microscopy, utilizing a focused ion probe of typically MeV H{sup +} or He{sup +} ions, can produce images where the contrast depends on typical Ion Beam Analysis (lBA) processes. The probe forming lens system usually utilizes strong focusing, precision magnetic quadrupole lenses and the probe is scanned over the target to produce images. Originally, this imaging technique was developed to utilize backscattered particles with incident beam currents typically of a few nA, and the technique became known as Channeling Contrast Microscopy (CCM). Recently, the technique has been developed further to utilize the forward scattering of ions incident along a major crystal axis in thin crystals. This technique is known as Channeling Scanning Transmission Ion Microscopy (CSTIM). Since nearly all incident ions are detected, CSTIM is highly efficient and very low beam currents are sufficient for imaging, typically as low as a few fA. This allows probes as small as 50 nm to be used. In this paper we briefly review the recent applications of these emerging techniques to a variety of single crystal materials (authors). 13 refs., 5 figs.

The technique of Nuclear Microscopy, utilizing a focused ion probe of typically MeV H{sup +} or He{sup +} ions, can produce images where the contrast depends on typical Ion Beam Analysis (lBA) processes. The probe forming lens system usually utilizes strong focusing, precision magnetic quadrupole lenses and the probe is scanned over the target to produce images. Originally, this imaging technique was developed to utilize backscattered particles with incident beam currents typically of a few nA, and the technique became known as Channeling Contrast Microscopy (CCM). Recently, the technique has been developed further to utilize the forward scattering of ions incident along a major crystal axis in thin crystals. This technique is known as Channeling Scanning Transmission Ion Microscopy (CSTIM). Since nearly all incident ions are detected, CSTIM is highly efficient and very low beam currents are sufficient for imaging, typically as low as a few fA. This allows probes as small as 50 nm to be used. In this paper we briefly review the recent applications of these emerging techniques to a variety of single crystal materials (authors). 13 refs., 5 figs.

The particles emitted in the reaction induced by 40 Ar on natural Ag at 288 and 340 MeV bombarding energy have been studied. The fragments have been identified in atomic number, their kinetic energy distribution and their angular distributions have been measured. The kinetic energy spectra show two components: a high-energy component related to the beam energy, or quasi-elastic component, and a low kinetic energy component, close to the Coulomb energy called relaxed component. The relaxed component is present at all angles and for all particles. The quasi-elastic component is present close to the grazing angle for atomic numbers close to that of the projectile. The relaxed cross section increases with atomic number for Z>9. The increase in cross section is sharper for the lower bombarding energy. The angular distributions are forward peaked, in excess of 1/sin(theta) for all the measured atomic numbers. The forward peaking is larger for particles close in Z to the projectile. The results are interpreted in terms of characteristic times associated with a short-lived intermediate complex. The cross sections and angular distributions are satisfactorily reproduced on the basis of a model accounting for a diffusion process occurring along the mass asymmetry coordinate of the intermediate complex. (Auth.)

The features of discrete and continuous ambiguities in the real phenomenological optical potential are clarified. The continuous ambiguity in the real potential for the scattering of 90 MeV 6 Li and 7 Li ions from 27 Al is investigated. For 6 Li the ambiguity is of Igo (Phys. Rev. Lett.; 1: 72 (1958) and Phys. Rev.; 115: 1665 (1959)) type but for 7 Li it is of Vrsup(n) = constant type. The implications of this are that 7 Li is less strongly absorbed than 6 Li. (author)

In this work we report on detailed findings of planar channeling oscillations of 2 MeV He{sup ++} particles in (1 1 0) silicon crystal. The exact correlation and coherence mechanism between confined particles oscillating trajectories are analyzed theoretically and experimentally in backscattering/transmission geometry. Regular patterns of channeled He{sup ++} ion planar oscillations are shown to be dominated by the crystal harmonic-oscillator potential and multiple scattering effect. For the first time it was shown that under the planar channeling conditions trajectories of positively charged particles exhibit observable correlation dynamics, including the interference effect. Quantitative estimation of channeling efficiency is performed using path integral method.

Single particle confinement of alpha particles is of crucial importance in reactor-grade tokamaks like BPX and ITER. Besides the well-known process of first-orbit losses, mechanisms that could lead to significant loss of alpha particles are turbulence-induced diffusion and toroidal field ripple stochastic diffusion. These two mechanisms have been separately studied in TFTR using two different detectors (one at the bottom of the machine and the other near the outer midplane) which can detect escaping charged fusion products, namely the 1 MeV triton and the 3 MeV proton in D-D plasmas (and also the 3.5 MeV alpha in D-T). The main difficulty in this type of experiment lies in the necessity of distinguishing the diffusion process from the always-present first-orbit loss-process. In this paper, we show how these two processes can be distinguished using the pitch-angle discrimination of the detectors. The pitch-angle is defined here as the angle of the particle trajectory with respect to the toroidal direction and so is a measure of the ion magnetic moment, μ. Results obtained at the midplane would be the first reported evidence of TF ripple diffusion in a tokamak. (author) 3 refs., 2 figs

In fusion reactors such as ITER, a neutral beam injector of MeV class beam energy and several tens MW class power is required as one of candidates of heating and current drive systems. However, the beam energy of existing high power accelerators are one order of magnitude lower than the required value. In order to realize a neutral beam injector for the fusion reactor, 'Proof-of-Principle' of such high energy acceleration is a critical issue at a reactor relevant beam current and pulse length. An accelerator and an accelerator facility which are necessary to demonstrate the Proof-of-Principle acceleration of negative ion beams up to 1 MeV, have been designed in the present study. The accelerator is composed of a cesium-volume type ion source and a multi-stage electrostatic acceleration system [Prototype Accelerator]. A negative hydrogen ion beam with the current of about one ampere (1 A) can be accelerated up to 1 MeV at a low operating pressure. Two types of acceleration system, a multi-multi type and a multi-single type, have been studied. The test facility has sufficient capability for the test of the Prototype Accelerator [MeV Test Facility]. The dc high voltage generator for negative ion acceleration is a Cockcroft-Walton type and capable of delivering 1 A at 1 MV (=1 MW) for 60 s. High voltage components including Prototype Accelerator are installed in a SF 6 vessel pressurized at 6 kg/cm 2 to overcome high voltage gradients. The vessel and the beamline are installed in a X-ray shield. (author)

Fast ion conducting glasses are of considerable technological interest because of their possible application in batteries, sensors, and displays. One of the main scientific challenges is to explain how the disordered structure of the glass is related to the high ionic conductivity that can be achieved at ambient temperature. Fast ion conducting glasses (AgBr) x (AgPO3) 1- x with x=0.0; 0.2; 0.3; 0.4; 0.5; 0.7; and 0.85 were prepared by rapid quenching. The studies of structure, thermal property and electrical conductivity have been made. The X-ray diffraction patterns of this system show that the sample are glasses for x 0.5. The neutron diffraction data shows that all AgBr doped glasses exhibit a strong and relatively sharp diffraction peak at anomalously low momentum transfer value, Q∼ 0.7 Α - 1. The low Q-peak is not observed in AgPO 3 glass, and in the X-ray data. The results of electrical conductivity show that the conduction is essentially ionic and due to silver ions alone. The logarithm of the ionic conductivity increases with increasing AgBr mole fraction, and reaches maximum for x = 0.5. The thermal property results measured by differential scanning calorimetric show that the temperatures of the glass transition, the crystallization and the melt reach minimum for the glass with composition x 0.5. We conclude that there appears to be a relation between higher conductivity at ambient temperature, and the low Q-peak. Based on this investigation a better fast ion conducting glass proposed is (AgBr) 0 .5(AgPO 3 ) 0 .5 with the conductivity of 8 x 10 - 5 S/cm

In our previous work , we have evidenced, using RBS-C, two effects in the aluminium sublattice of sapphire irradiated with 90.3 MeV xenon ions: a partial disorder creation that saturates at ∼40% followed above a threshold fluence by a highly disordered layer appearing behind the surface. In this work, by RBS-C analysis of the oxygen sublattice, we have observed only one regime of partial disorder creation that saturates at ∼60% in tracks of cross-section double of that found for the aluminium sublattice. Complementary analysis by X-ray diffraction shows that the lattice strain increases with the fluence until a maximum is reached about 7.5 x 10 12 ions/cm 2 . For higher fluences, strain decreases first indicating a little stress relaxation in the material and tends afterwards, to remain constant. This stress relaxation is found to be related to the aluminium sublattice high disorder.

Irradiation effects of 50 MeV Li 3+ ion beams in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films were studied with respect to their structural and electrical properties by using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and ac electrical measurement in the frequency range: 50-100 kHz at different temperatures of 30-150 deg. C. It is found that ac resistivity of PET decreases as frequency increases. The temperature dependencies of dielectric loss tangent exhibit a peak (T g ) at 60 deg. C. The capacitance value of irradiated PET is almost temperature independent and ones increases with an increasing of lithium fluence. FTIR spectra show various bands related to C-H, C-O, C-O-C molecular bonds and groups which get modified or break down due to ion beam irradiation

We present an alternative approach to describing Rutherford Backscattered (RBS) angular yield scans. The Bloch wave method to formulate the cross-section is a fundamental approach originating from Schrodinger's equation. This quantum formulation is often used when describing various aspects of electron diffraction including Backscattering, EDX and TEM but has seen little application to the very short wavelength regime of MeVions. It offers several significant advantages. Great freedom is given to crystal properties and structure in the theory allowing a fundamental insight into the channeling phenomena and hence the crystal itself. We have calculated both planar and axial channeling scans and these maps are shown to be in good agreement to their experimental counterparts. There is excellent correlation between the theoretical and experimental results for both χ min and Ψ 1/2 . Further investigation is required into the area of absorption or dechanneling. This phenomenon requires different mechanisms for electron and ion scattering differ greatly

Structures of polyimide (6051) films modified by irradiation of 2.0 MeV Si ions with different fluences are studied in detail. Variations of the functional groups in polyimide are investigated by attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy. The results indicate that the functional groups can be destroyed gradually with the increasing ion fluence. The variations of structure and element contents are characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results indicate that the contents of N and O decrease significantly compared with the original samples, some graphite-like and carbon-rich phases are formed in the process of irradiation

The highly sensitive silicon PIN photodiodes were fabricated to use in radiation environments. The Si PIN photodiodes are coated with 150 nm silicon dioxide (SiO{sub 2}) as anti-reflective (AR) coating. The presence of AR coating on the performance of irradiated PIN photodiodes is studied up to a total dose of 10 Mrad. The effects of 75 MeV boron (B{sup 5+}) ions and {sup 60}Co gamma radiation on the I–V, C–V and spectral responses of PIN photodiodes were studied systematically to understand the radiation tolerance of the devices. The 75 MeV B{sup 5+} irradiation results are compared with {sup 60}Co gamma irradiated results in the same dose range for 1 mm × 1 mm and 10 mm × 10 mm active area PIN photodiodes. The irradiation results show that the ion irradiated PIN photodiodes show more degradation when compared {sup 60}Co gamma irradiated devices. The irradiation results are presented in this paper and the possible mechanism behind the degradation of photodiodes is also discussed in the paper.

Highlights: • CaMoO{sub 4} nanophosphor was synthesized via hydrothermal route. • K{sup +}/Dy{sup 3+} doped CaMoO{sub 4} was irradiated by 100 MeVAg{sup 7+} ions. • XRD and FESEM results revealed the loss of crystallinity after ion irradiation. • XPS technique confirmed the stability of the oxidation states of the elements. • Change in luminescence with ion was explained via linear energy transfer phenomena. - Abstract: The present paper reports on the swift heavy ion (SHI) induced structural, optical and luminescence properties of CaMoO{sub 4}:Dy{sup 3+}/K{sup +} nanophosphor synthesized via hydrothermal route. Herein 100 MeVAg{sup 7+} ion beam was used varying fluence from 1 × 10{sup 11} to 1 × 10{sup 13} ions/cm{sup 2}. The depth profile of the Ag{sup 7+} ions was estimated using SRIM code. XRD and FESEM results revealed the loss of crystallinity and reduction in particle size after SHI irradiations. The XPS technique confirmed the stability of oxidation states of the elements. Reflectance spectra exhibited a red shift in the absorption band, followed by a decrease in band gap. Decrease in the intensity of the photoluminescence peaks without any change in band positions was also obtained after ion irradiation. The thermoluminescence (TL) characteristics were discussed in detail, and the trapping parameter was calculated. The results were compared on the grounds of linear energy transfer of the irradiated ions.

High-energy x-ray diffraction measurements on molten Ag{sub 2}Se were performed. Partial structure factors and radial distribution functions were deduced by reverse Monte Carlo (RMC) structural modelling on the basis of our new x-ray and earlier published neutron diffraction data. These partial functions were compared with those of molten AgI. Both AgI and Ag{sub 2}Se have a superionic solid phase prior to melting. New RMC structural modelling for molten AgI was performed to revise our previous model with a bond-angle restriction to reduce the number of unphysical Ag triangles. The refined model of molten AgI revealed that isolated unbranched chains formed by Agions are the cause of the medium-range order of Ag. In contrast with molten AgI, molten Ag{sub 2}Se has 'cage-like' structures with approximately seven Agions surrounding a Se ion. Connectivity analysis revealed that most of the Agions in molten Ag{sub 2}Se are located within 2.9 A of each other and only small voids are found, which is in contrast to the wide distribution of Ag-void radii in molten AgI. It is conjectured that the collective motion of Agions through small voids is required to realize the well-known fast diffusion of Agions in molten Ag{sub 2}Se, which is comparable to that in molten AgI.

High energy (MeV) C 2+ , F 2+ , and Cl 2+ ions were irradiated onto π-conjugated polyaniline emeraldine base (PAN-EB) samples. The energy of an ion beam was controlled to a range of 3-4.5 MeV, with the ion dosage varying from 1x10 12 to 1x10 16 ions/cm 2 . The highest dc conductivity (σ dc ) at room temperature was measured to be ∼60 S/cm for 4.5 MeV Cl 2+ ion-irradiated PAN-EB samples with a dose of 1x10 16 ions/cm 2 . We observed the transition of high energy ion-irradiated PAN-EB samples from insulating state to conducting state as a function of ion dosage based on σ dc and its temperature dependence. The characteristic peaks of the Raman spectrum of the PAN-EB samples were reduced, while the D-peak (disordered peak) and the G peak (graphitic peak) appeared as the ion dose increased. From the analysis of the D and G peaks of the Raman spectra of the systems compared to multiwalled carbon nanotubes, ion-irradiated graphites, and annealed carbon films, the number of the clusters of hexagon rings with conducting sp 2 -bonded carbons increased with ion dosage. We also observed the increase in the size of the nanocrystalline graphitic domain of the systems with increasing ion dosage. The intensity of normalized electron paramagnelic resonance signal also increased in correlation with ion dose. The results of this study demonstrate that π-conjugated pristine PAN-EB systems changed from insulating state to carbonized conducting state through high energy ion irradiation with high ion dosage

Relative radiation effectiveness, RE, of 21 MeV 7Li and 64 MeV 16O ions being completely stopped in a tissue equivalent film dose meter has been measured as a function of penetration depth and energy, and the results have been compared with calculations based on a δ-ray theory for heavy charged...... particles developed by Katz et al. The experiment was designed to test calculations particularly in the Bragg-peak region of the slowing down particles where significant deviation between theory and experiment was found. Fitting of the characteristic D37 dose and the size of the radiation sensitive element...... in the detector, which are important parameters in the theoretical model, does not improve the overall correlation between theory and experiment. It is concluded that disagreement between theoretical and experimental RE-values below 1.5 MeV/amu is partly due to lack of equivalence between the δ-ray spectrum...

The paper presents the calibration of Fuji BAS-TR image plate (IP) response to high energy carbon ions of different charge states by employing an intense laser-driven ion source, which allowed access to carbon energies up to 270 MeV. The calibration method consists of employing a Thomson parabola spectrometer to separate and spectrally resolve different ion species, and a slotted CR-39 solid state detector overlayed onto an image plate for an absolute calibration of the IP signal. An empirical response function was obtained which can be reasonably extrapolated to higher ion energies. The experimental data also show that the IP response is independent of ion charge states.

The stopping power of liquid water was measured for the first time for carbon ions in the energy range between 1 and 6 MeV using the inverted Doppler shift attenuation method. The feasibility study carried out within the scope of the present work shows that this method is well suited for the quantification of the controversial condensed phased effect in the stopping power for heavy ions in the intermediate energy range. The preliminary results of this work indicate that the stopping power of water for carbon ions with energies prevailing in the Bragg-peak region is significantly lower than that of water vapor. In view of the relatively high uncertainty of the present results, a new experiment with uncertainties less than the predicted difference between the stopping powers of both water phases is planned. (paper)

Angular correlations of fission fragments induced by bombarding a 232 Th target with protons, deuterons and alpha particles of energies from 70 MeV to 1000 MeV have been measured. They give information about the forward momentum imparted to the fissioning nuclei. We present the average values of the transferred linear momentum ([p vertical stroke vertical stroke ]) as a function of the incident energy and propose a classification into three regimes of dominating processes leading to fission: (I) low-energy behaviour, for E/A less than 10 MeV/u [p vertical stroke vertical stroke ]/psub(i) approx. equal to 1. (II) Between 10 MeV/u and about 70 MeV/u, [p vertical stroke vertical stroke ]/psub(i) decreases progressively down to 0.5 but remains proportional to the projectile mass. (III) The region between 70 MeV/u and about 1000 MeV/u corresponds to a transition region where the projectiles, whatever their masses, tend to transfer the same momentum. (orig.)

Ultra-intense laser-plasma interactions (LPI) can produce highly energetic photons, electrons, and ions with numerous potential real-world applications. Many of these applications will require repeatable, high repetition targets that are suitable for LPI experiments. Liquid targets can meet many of these needs, but they typically require higher chamber pressure than is used for many low repetition rate experiments. The effect of background pressure on the LPI has not been thoroughly studied. With this in mind, the Extreme Light group at the Air Force Research Lab has carried out MeVion and electron acceleration experiments at kHz repetition rate with background pressures ranging from 30 mTorr to >1 Torr using a submicron ethylene glycol liquid sheet target. We present these results and provide two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulation results that offer insight on the thresholds for the efficient acceleration of electrons and ions. This research is supported by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research under LRIR Project 17RQCOR504 under the management of Dr. Riq Parra and Dr. Jean-Luc Cambier. Support was also provided by the DOD HPCMP Internship Program.

CZ-grown, n-doped crystalline Si(1 1 1) of resistivity 60 {omega} cm and 140 {omega} cm were irradiated with 65 MeV energy oxygen ions, in the fluence range of 2 x 10{sup 1}-10{sup 14} ions/cm{sup 2}. The depth and spatial profile of excess minority carrier recombination time {tau} (lifetime) was measured using photoconductive decay (PCD) method. Lifetime measurements were carried out before the stopping range of impinging ions. Results show a monotonous decrease in lifetime with fluence, which is attributed to defect creation mechanism by electronic energy loss based on the thermal spike model. Also, surface modification is expected with a small loss in crystalline quality. This surface is considered to be a multi-crystalline surface with large grain boundaries that act as trapping sites for excess holes in n-Si(1 1 1). Annealing of the irradiated samples showed a near complete recovery at 750 deg. C for a period of 1 h.

The Metal Organic Chemical Vapour Deposition (MOCVD) grown n-type Gallium nitride (GaN) layers on sapphire (0 0 0 1) substrates have been irradiated at low and room temperatures with 40 MeV Li 3+ ions at the fluence of 1 x 10 13 ions cm -2 . Irradiated samples were characterised by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence (PL), Raman spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM). XRD results show that the formation of Ga 2 O 3 has been observed upon irradiation. This is due to interface mixing of GaN/Al 2 O 3 , at both temperatures. Also the GaN (0 0 0 2) peak splits into two at low temperature irradiation. PL measurements show a yellow emission band shift towards blue band side upon irradiation at 77 K. Raman studies indicate that the lattice disorder is high at room temperature irradiation compared to low temperature irradiation. AFM images indicate the increasing surface roughness after ion irradiation at room temperature when compared to pristine GaN and low temperature irradiated GaN. These observations are discussed in detail with the use of complementary techniques

Specimens of austenitic stainless steel were irradiated with 6 MeV Xe ions at room temperature to 2, 7, 15 and 25 dpa. The vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD) and positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PLS) were carried out to analysis the magnetic properties and microstructural variations. The magnetic hysteresis loops indicated that higher irradiation damage causes more significant magnetization phenomenon. The equivalent saturated magnetization Mes and coercive force Hc were obtained from magnetic hysteresis loops. It is indicated that the Mes increases with irradiation damage. While Hc increases first to 2 dpa and then decreases continuously with irradiation damage. The different contributions of irradiation defects and ferrite precipitates on Mes and Hc can explain these phenomena.

The irradiation of solids by energetic particles may cause extensive displacement cascades and point defects (vacancies and interstitials), and can be widely used for material modification. In order to repair an electrical breakdown photoconductive antenna (PCA), we irradiated the (100)-oriented, low-temperature (LT) grown GaAs substrate with 10 16 /cm 2 of 2 MeV helium ions. After being implanted, electric resistance of the PCA has increased from 800 Ω to 60 ΜΩ. The irradiated PCA exhibits improvements in the output power in comparison with the electrical breakdown PCA and its signal intensity has increased from 2 nA to 8 nA. Accordingly, its output power has become more than one order of magnitude higher than that before irradiation. The frequency range of PCA has obviously improvement. (authors)

Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • Silver nanoparticles are precipitated from the borate glasses during the melting process without any further heat treatment. • The reduction of Eu 3+ ions to Eu 2+ ions is presented in this material. • The intensity of Ag + luminescence. • The introduction of Eu ions accelerated the reaction between Eu 2+ ions and silver ions inducing the silver clusters formation. - Abstract: Ag + doped sodium borate glasses with different Eu ions concentration were prepared by the melt-quenching method. The absorption at about 410 nm which was caused by the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) is promoted with increasing of Eu ions concentration. Meanwhile, the luminescent spectra showed that the emission intensity of Ag + decreased while that of the Ag aggregates increased simultaneously. The results indicated that the Agions intend to form the high-polymeric state such as Ag aggregates and nanoparticles with increasing of europium ions. Owing to the self-reduction of Eu 3+ to Eu 2+ in our glass system, it revealed that Ag + has been reduced by the neighboring Eu 2+ which leads to the formation of Ag aggregates and the precipitation of Ag NPs in the matrix. In addition, energy transfer (ET) process from Ag + /Ag aggregates to the Eu 3+ was investigated for the enhancement of Eu 3+ luminescence

We have measured positive fragment ions produced in collisions of 2 MeV Siq+ (q=0, 1, 2, 4) projectiles with a C60 molecular target. The measurement was performed with a time-of-flight coincidence method between fragment ions and charge-selected outgoing projectiles. For all the charge-changing collisions investigated here, the mass distribution of small fragment ions C+n (n=1-12) can be approximated fairly well by a power-law form of n-λ as a function of the cluster size n. The power λ derived from each mass distribution is found to change strongly according to different charge-changing collisions. As a remarkable experimental finding, the values of λ(loss) in electron loss collisions are almost the same for the same final charge states k irrespective of the initial charge q, exhibiting a nearly perfect linear relationship with k. We also performed calculations of the projectile ionization on the basis of the semiclassical approximation and obtained inelastic energy deposition for individual collision processes. The estimated energy deposition is found to have a simple correlation with the experimentally determined values of λ(loss).

The multilayer thin films of SnO{sub 2}/Ag/SnO{sub 2} were deposited using electron-beam and thermal evaporation for flat panel display application. The as-prepared SnO{sub 2}/Ag/SnO{sub 2} specimen was irradiated with 100 MeV O{sup 7+} ions by varying the fluences 1 × 10{sup 12} and 5 × 10{sup 12} ions/cm{sup 2}. The pristine and irradiated films were investigated using XRD, SEM, AFM and Raman to find out modification in the structure and surface morphology of the films. UV–Vis and Hall measurement techniques were used to investigate the optical and electrical properties respectively. It was observed that the roughness of the film after irradiation (for the fluence of 1 × 10{sup 12} ions/cm{sup 2}) ​ decreased to 0.68 nm from 1.6 nm and showed an increase in roughness to 1.35 nm on increasing the fluence to 5 × 10{sup 12} ions/cm{sup 2}. This oxide/metal/oxide structure fulfills the basic requirements of a TCE, like high-transmittance >75% for pristine and >80% for the fluence of 1 × 10{sup 12} ions/cm{sup 2} over a broad spectrum of visible light for practical applications. The multilayer structure shows change in the electrical resistivity from 1.6 × 10{sup −3} Ω cm to 6.3 × 10{sup −3} Ω cm after irradiation.

We report on the dielectric properties and a.c. conductivity studies of CSA doped polyaniline nanotubes. Nanotubes of 47–100 nm diameter, were synthesized by the self-assembly method and irradiated using Ni 12+ ions of 160 MeV energy with fluences of 1 × 10 10 , 5 × 10 10 , 1 × 10 11 and 3 × 10 11 ions/cm 2 . X-ray diffraction studies reveal an increase in the degree of crystallinity and consequently, the extent of order of the nanotubes with increasing fluence, but show a lower degree of crystallinity at higher fluence. The decrease in d-spacing for the (100) reflections with fluence is ascribed to the decrease in the tilt angle of the aligned polymer chains. A significant change was seen after irradiation in dielectric and electrical properties which may be correlated with the increased carrier concentration and structural modifications in the polymer films. The surface conductivity of films increases with increasing fluence, which also decreases at higher fluence. The a.c. conduction mechanism for the nanotubes could be explained in terms of correlated barrier hopping model. The existence of polarons as the major charge carriers in the present nanotube system was confirmed by the low values of polaron binding energy, found to decrease with fluence. The hopping distance increases with fluence indicating that the hopping probability increases with fluence.

We report on 100 MeV oxygen ion irradiation in Pb doped Bi-2223 superconductors. Resistivity measurements reveal that both grains as well as the grain boundaries are affected by such irradiation. An analysis of the excess conductivity has been made within the framework of Aslamazov-Larkin (AL) and

Void formation in pure nickel and 316 steel containing 10 ppm He has been studied using 4.2 MeV Fe+ ions from the Harwell Van de Graaff accelerator. The dose dependence of swelling in nickel at 525degC and the dose and temperature dependence of swelling in 316 steel is reported. The results are compared with those of other workers, especially those sup(13,14) using 46.5 MeV Ni 6+ ions. In general, there is good agment, except for a marked decrease in swelling of 316 steel at 650degC and 700degC compared with the Ni 6+ bombardment. The reason for this is thought to result from the restricted width of the damaged region in the low energy case which at the high temperatures is comparable with the inter-void spacing. Anomalous void distributions adjacent to grain boundaries are reported and are probably caused by grain boundary movement. Denuded zones at grain boundaries in 316 steel vary in width from approximatly 1300A at 450degC to approximatly 8800A at 700degC. The region adjacent to the surface of the nickel specimens exhibits an abnormally high swelling. Possible explanations are suggested

Elastic recoil detection analysis (ERDA) is a well established technique and it offers unique capabilities in thin film analysis. Simultaneous detection and depth profiling of all elements, including hydrogen, is possible only with time-of-flight ERDA. Bragg ionization chambers or ΔE - E detectors can also be used to identify the recoiling element if sufficiently high energies are used. The chief limitations of time-of-flight ERDA are the beam induced sample damage and the requirement of a relatively large accelerator. In this paper we propose a detector setup, which could be used with 3 MeV to 6 MeV medium heavy beams from either a single ended accelerator (40Ar) or from a tandem accelerator (39K). The detector setup consists of two timing detectors and a gas ionization chamber energy detector. Compared to use of very heavy low energy ions the hydrogen recoils with this beam have sufficient energy to be detected with current gas ionization chamber energy detector. To reduce the beam induced damage the proposed detector setup covers a solid angle larger than 1 msr, roughly an order of magnitude improvement over most time-of-flight ERDA setups. The setup could be used together with a small accelerator to be used for light element analysis of approximately 50 nm films. The concept is tested with 39K beam from a 1.7 MV Pelletron tandem accelerator with the Jyväskylä ToF-ERDA setup. In addition to the measurements effects related to low energies and increase in the solid angle are simulated with Monte Carlo methods.

We have investigated the scattering of K{sup +} and Cs{sup +} ions from a single crystal Ag(0 0 1) surface and from a Ag-Si(1 0 0) Schottky diode structure. For the K{sup +} ions, incident energies of 25 eV to 1 keV were used to obtain energy-resolved spectra of scattered ions at {theta}{sub i} = {theta}{sub f} = 45 deg. These results are compared to the classical trajectory simulation SAFARI and show features indicative of light atom-surface scattering where sequential binary collisions can describe the observed energy loss spectra. Energy-resolved spectra obtained for Cs{sup +} ions at incident energies of 75 eV and 200 eV also show features consistent with binary collisions. However, for this heavy atom-surface scattering system, the dominant trajectory type involves at least two surface atoms, as large angular deflections are not classically allowed for any single scattering event. In addition, a significant deviation from the classical double-collision prediction is observed for incident energies around 100 eV, and molecular dynamics studies are proposed to investigate the role of collective lattice effects. Data are also presented for the scattering of K{sup +} ions from a Schottky diode structure, which is a prototype device for the development of active targets to probe energy loss at a surface.

Complete text of publication follows. Nuclear radiation creates not only deep centers, but in addition influences shallow dopant concentration in semiconductors, as well. At a given temperature the maximum frequency a center can respond to depends on its energy level, therefore the capacitance-voltage (C-V) characteristics of radiation damaged semiconductor diodes should ideally be measured as function of frequency in order to obtain the physical and energy depth distribution of ionized centers [1,2]. In our experiments C-V plots of MeV energy ion irradiated photodiodes were taken at fixed 1 kHz frequency, which is low enough to be sensitive at room temperature to some of the deep levels expected. During, for example, an irradiation with 5.5 MeV α particles the capacitance of a p + nn + diode increased significantly at low voltages, but showed rather small changes at higher ones. The former turned out to be merely related to a decrease of the built in voltage, corresponding to a lifetime to relaxation type transition of the semiconductor [3]. Rescaling C-V data for this change, the remaining, actual capacitance changes could be interpreted as related to nuclear recoil caused damage located around the end of particle tracks. C-V technique has also been used for follow up investigation of spontaneous self annealing at room temperature of irradiated samples. This is shown here by plotting capacitance data normalized to their virgin values as function of depletion depth for irradiation with 430 keV protons, whose range is about 5 μm. The sensitivity of the method is illustrated for low fluence of 6.5 MeV oxygen, whose range is 5 μm, too, and where the normalization is now made to data taken one week after the irradiation. Acknowledgement This work was supported by the Hungarian Research and Technology Innovation Fund and the Croatian Ministry of Science, Education and Sports within the framework of the Hungarian-Croatian Intergovernmental Science and Technology Co

The influence of swift heavy ion (SHI) irradiation on structural and photoluminescence (PL) properties of ZnO-PMMA nanocomposite films, prepared by solution casting method, was studied. The ZnO-PMMA nanocomposite films were irradiated using 120 MeVAg{sup +12} ions at different fluences varying from 1 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 11} to 1 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 13} ions/cm{sup 2}. The intensity of the X-ray diffraction peaks is increased at the high fluence, without evolution of any new peak. A shift in absorption edge (i.e. shift in optical band gap) towards higher wavelength was observed after irradiation and PL from ZnO-PMMA nanocomposite films is found to increase up to a critical fluence and then found to be suppressed for higher fluence (1 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 12} ion/cm{sup 2}). The change in photoluminescence after irradiation can be attributed to the change in microstructure of PMMA matrix as well as the agglomeration of ZnO nanoparticles.

The influence of swift heavy ion (SHI) irradiation on structural and photoluminescence (PL) properties of ZnO-PMMA nanocomposite films, prepared by solution casting method, was studied. The ZnO-PMMA nanocomposite films were irradiated using 120 MeVAg +12 ions at different fluences varying from 1×10 11 to 1×10 13 ions/cm 2 . The intensity of the X-ray diffraction peaks is increased at the high fluence, without evolution of any new peak. A shift in absorption edge (i.e. shift in optical band gap) towards higher wavelength was observed after irradiation and PL from ZnO-PMMA nanocomposite films is found to increase up to a critical fluence and then found to be suppressed for higher fluence (1×10 12 ion/cm 2 ). The change in photoluminescence after irradiation can be attributed to the change in microstructure of PMMA matrix as well as the agglomeration of ZnO nanoparticles.

Formation of a buried IrSi 3 layer in (111) oriented Si by ion implantation and annealing has been studied at an implantation energy of 2 MeV for substrate temperatures of 450--550C. Rutherford backscattering (RBS), ion channeling and cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy showed that a buried epitaxial IrSi 3 layer is produced at 550C by implanting ≥ 3.4 x 10 17 Ir/cm 2 and subsequently annealing for 1 h at 1000C plus 5 h at 1100C. At a dose of 3.4 x 10 17 Ir/cm 2 , the thickness of the layer varied between 120 and 190 nm and many large IrSi 3 precipitates were present above and below the film. Increasing the dose to 4.4 x 10 17 Ir/cm 2 improved the layer uniformity at the expense of increased lattice damage in the overlying Si. RBS analysis of layer formation as a function of substrate temperature revealed the competition between the mechanisms for optimizing surface crystallinity vs. IrSi 3 layer formation. Little apparent substrate temperature dependence was evident in the as-implanted state but after annealing the crystallinity of the top Si layer was observed to deteriorate with increasing substrate temperature while the precipitate coarsening and coalescence improved

The Proton Engineering Frontier Project (PEFP) 20-MeV proton linear accelerator is currently operating at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI). The ion source of the 100-MeV proton linac needs at least a 100-hour operation time. To meet the goal, we have developed a microwave ion source that uses no filament. For the ion source, a remote control system has been developed by using experimental physics and the industrial control system (EPICS) software framework. The control system consists of a versa module europa (VME) and EPICS-based embedded applications running on a VxWorks real-time operating system. The main purpose of the control system is to control and monitor the operational variables of the components remotely and to protect operators from radiation exposure and the components from critical problems during beam extraction. We successfully performed the operation test of the control system to confirm the degree of safety during the hardware performance.

In order to study channeling effects and implants of heavy ions with energy of few MeV in silicon, ion distributions are calculated with a Monte Carlo method for axial [(001) axis], planar, and nominally random directions for As + and P + ions implanted into silicon with energies in the range 100 keV to 2 MeV. The calculation indicates an appreciable channeling at the higher energy only for the (001) axis and the (110) planes. For heavy ions with energy in the MeV range the subsidence of channeling into major channels and the disappearance of minor channels are shown

This paper describes use of the in situ ion beam analysis facility developed at Los Alamos National Laboratory for the study of irradiation effects in ceramic materials. In this facility, an analytical beamline of 3 MV tandem accelerator and an irradiation bean-dine of 200 kV ion implanter are connected at 60 degrees to a common target chamber. This facility provides a fast, efficient, and quantitative measurement tool to monitor changes of composition and crystallinity of materials irradiated by 100-400 keV ions, through sequential measurement of backscattering events of MeVions combined with ion channeling techniques. We will describe the details of the in situ ion beam analysis and ion irradiation and discuss some of the important issues and their solutions associated with the in situ experiment. These issues include (1) the selection of axial ion channeling direction for the measurement of radiation damage; (2) surface charging and charge collection for data acquisition; (3) surface sputtering during ion irradiation; (4) the effects of MeV analytical beam on the materials; and (5) the sample heating effect on ion beam analysis

Polyethylene terephthalane (PET) has been modified with Ti, Ag, Si and C ions from a metal vapor arc source (MEVVA). Ti, Ag, Si and C ions were implanted with acceleration voltage 40 kV to fluences ranging from 1x10 16 to 2x10 17 cm -2 . The surface of implanted PET darkened with increasing ion dose, when the metal ion dose was greater than 1x10 17 cm -2 the color changed to metallic bright. The surface resistance decreases by 5-6 orders of magnitude with increasing dose. The resistivity is stable after long-term storage. The depth of Ti- and Ag-implanted layer is approximately 150 and 80 nm measured by Rutherford backscattering (RBS), respectively. TEM photos revealed the presence of Ti and Ag nano-meter particles on the surface resulting from the high-dose implantation. Ti and Agion implantations improved conductivity and wear resistance significantly. The phase and structural changes were obtained by X-ray diffraction (XRD). It can be seen that nano-meter particles of Ti precipitation, TiO 2 and Ti-carbides have been formed in implanted layer. Nano-hardness of implanted PET has been measured by a nano-indenter. The results show that the surface hardness, modulus and wear resistance could be increased

Radiation effects induced by terrestrial cosmic rays in microelectronics, on board aircrafts as well as at sea level, have recently attracted much attention. The most important particle radiation is due to spallation neutrons, created in the atmosphere by cosmic-ray protons. When, e.g., an electronic memory circuit is exposed to neutron radiation, charged particles can be produced in a nuclear reaction. The charge released by ionization can cause a flip of the memory content in a bit, which is called a single-event upset (SEU). This induces no hardware damage to the circuit, but unwanted re-programming of memories, CPUs, etc., can have consequences for the reliability, and ultimately also for the safety of the system.Data on energy and angular distributions of the secondary particles produced by neutrons in silicon nuclei are essential input for analyses and calculation of SEU rate. In this work, double-differential cross sections of inclusive light-ion (p, d, t, 3He and α) production in silicon, induced by 96 MeV neutrons, are presented. Energy distributions are measured at eight laboratory angles from 20 deg. to 160 deg. in steps of 20 deg. Deduced energy-differential and production cross sections are reported as well. Experimental cross sections are compared to theoretical reaction model calculations and existing experimental data in the literature

Alpha particles have been measured in coincidence with heavy recoil nuclei from the /sup 28/Si + /sup 12/C reaction. At Esub(lab) = 87 MeV angular correlations for alphas between 15/sup 0/ and 55/sup 0/ and heavy ions at angles -9/sup 0/, -12/sup 0/ and -15/sup 0/ have been taken. An excitation function of coincidence events with THETAsub(..cap alpha..) = 30/sup 0/ and THETAsub(HI) = -12/sup 0/ has been measured for 84 MeV < Esub(lab) < 91.5 MeV. The results are well described by a statistical-model calculation for compound nucleus decay. No evidence is found for additional processes.

Relative radiation effectiveness, RE, of 21 MeV 7 Li and 64 MeV 16 O ions being completely stopped in a tissue equivalent film dose meter has been measured as a function of penetration depth and energy, and the results have been compared with calculations based on a delta-ray theory for heavy charged particles developed by Katz et al. The experiment was designed to test calculations particularly in the Bragg-peak region of the slowing down particles where significant deviation between theory and experiment was found. Fitting of the characteristic D 37 dose and the size of the radiation sensitive element in the detector, which are important parameters in the theoretical model, does not improve the overall correlation between theory and experiment. It is concluded that disagreement between theoretical and experimental RE-values below 1.5 MeV/amu is partly due to lack of equivalence between the delta-ray spectrum and the slowing down spectrum of electrons from low-LET radiation, and partly from approximations in the calculated distribution of energy deposition of the delta-rays. (orig.)

Ag/polypyrrole (PPy) coaxial nanocables (NCs) were synthesized by an ion adsorption method. In this method, the pre-made Ag nanowires (NWs) were dispersed in the aqueous solution of copper acetate (Cu(Ac)2), and the Cu2+ ions adsorbed onto the surface of Ag NWs can oxidize pyrrole monomers to polymerize into uniform PPy sheath outside Ag NWs after the Cu(Ac)2-treated Ag NWs were re-dispersed in the aqueous solution of pyrrole. The morphology of NCs was characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The relationship between the thickness of polymer sheath and the concentration of Cu(Ac)2 was established. As Cu(Ac)2 which served as the oxidant can also be replaced by AgNO3 in this synthesis, the differences on the structure of polymer sheath caused by different oxidants were studied by surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Comparing with the characterization results of Ag/PPy NCs synthesized using AgNO3 as the oxidant which indicates the random arrangement of PPy chains at the interface between polymer sheath and Ag NWs, PPy chain oxidized by Cu2+ tends to show a relatively ordered conformation at the interface with the pyrrole rings identically taking the plane vertical to the surface of Ag NWs. In addition, although the main part of the polymer sheath was composed of PPy whatever kind of oxidant was used, the sheath of the NCs oxidized by Cu2+ is typical for the existence of Cu(I)-pyrrole coordinate structures with strong Cu(I)-N bond signal shown in XPS characterization.

Ag/polypyrrole (PPy) coaxial nanocables (NCs) were synthesized by an ion adsorption method. In this method, the pre-made Ag nanowires (NWs) were dispersed in the aqueous solution of copper acetate (Cu(Ac) 2 ), and the Cu 2+ ions adsorbed onto the surface of Ag NWs can oxidize pyrrole monomers to polymerize into uniform PPy sheath outside Ag NWs after the Cu(Ac) 2 -treated Ag NWs were re-dispersed in the aqueous solution of pyrrole. The morphology of NCs was characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The relationship between the thickness of polymer sheath and the concentration of Cu(Ac) 2 was established. As Cu(Ac) 2 which served as the oxidant can also be replaced by AgNO 3 in this synthesis, the differences on the structure of polymer sheath caused by different oxidants were studied by surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Comparing with the characterization results of Ag/PPy NCs synthesized using AgNO 3 as the oxidant which indicates the random arrangement of PPy chains at the interface between polymer sheath and Ag NWs, PPy chain oxidized by Cu 2+ tends to show a relatively ordered conformation at the interface with the pyrrole rings identically taking the plane vertical to the surface of Ag NWs. In addition, although the main part of the polymer sheath was composed of PPy whatever kind of oxidant was used, the sheath of the NCs oxidized by Cu 2+ is typical for the existence of Cu(I)–pyrrole coordinate structures with strong Cu(I)–N bond signal shown in XPS characterization.

Defect production in natural diamond irradiated by 335 MeV Ni ions within a dose range of 5·10 12 - 5·10 14 cm -2 has been studied by EPR and cathodoluminescence techniques. It is shown that the high energy ion irradiation leads to the appearance of modified track like one-dimensional structures with nontetrahedral coordination of atoms. A mechanism of microwave conductivity in modified structures of irradiated samples discussed in frame of a model of mobile quasi-particles of corresponding paramagnetic centres. Peculiarities of concentration distributions of paramagnetic centres corresponding to ion-modified structures and cathodoluminescence centres through the irradiated layer are connected with track channeling and stopped of a part of ions because of their elastic collisions with lattice atoms during ion stopping. (author). 18 refs., 5 figs

A study of the X-ray emission induced by 0.5 to 6 MeV Ar ions has been realized in view of multielemental analytical applications. The historical development of the use of heavy ion induced X-ray emission in analysis and the theoretical background of inner-shell ionization in heavy ion-atom collisions are described. The emission of non characteristic X-rays and the effects related to the penetration of heavy ions in matter are also related. The experimental part contains a description of the experimental devices and of the X-ray spectra fitting method. Thick target yields as a function of the target Z and the Ar ion energy are reported. The analytical possibilities are examined and an application to the analysis of Si and Cl in cadmium telluride crystals is given [fr

The universal motivation for colliding large nuclei at relativistic energies is the expectation that a small volume of the primordial quark soup, generally referred to as the Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP), can be created and studied. The QGP is formed via a phase transition caused by either the extreme baryon densities and/or the extreme temperatures achieved in the overlap zone of the two colliding nuclei. Experiments at the Brookhaven National Laboratory Alternating Gradient Synchrotron (AGS) using a beam of Si nuclei at 14.6 GeV per nucleon on various nuclear targets have been completed. These same experiments are now actively searching for signatures of QGP formation using a beam of Au nuclei at 11.7 GeV per nucleon. This paper briefly summarizes some of the key results from the Si beam program and the current status of the experimental Au beam program at the AGS

Highlights: {yields} MOCVD grown GaN samples are irradiated with 80 MeV Ni ions at room temperature. {yields} PL and PLE studies have been carried out for band to band, BL and YL emissions. {yields} Ni ions irradiated GaN shows BL band at 450 nm besides YL band. {yields} Radiation annealed Ga vacancies have quenching effect on YL intensity. {yields} We speculated that BL and YL are associated with N and Ga vacancies, respectively. - Abstract: We report damage creation and annihilation under energetic ion bombardment at a fixed fluence. MOCVD grown GaN thin films were irradiated with 80 MeV Ni ions at a fluence of 1 x 10{sup 13} ions/cm{sup 2}. Irradiated GaN thin films were subjected to rapid thermal annealing for 60 s in nitrogen atmosphere to anneal out the defects. The effects of defects on luminescence were explored with photoluminescence measurements. Room temperature photoluminescence spectra from pristine sample revealed presence of band to band transition besides unwanted yellow luminescence. Irradiated GaN does not show any band to band transition but there is a strong peak at 450 nm which is attributed to ion induced defect blue luminescence. However, irradiated and subsequently annealed samples show improved band to band transitions and a significant decrease in yellow luminescence intensity due to annihilation of defects which were created during irradiation. Irradiation induced effects on yellow and blue emissions are discussed.

These measurements were undertaken as a consequence of our failure early this year to accelerate Au +46 ions in the Oak Ridge Isochronous Cyclotron using an injected beam of 352 MeV 197 Au +17 from the 25 MV tandem accelerator. Following that unsuccessful test, we made a preliminary measurement of the charge-state distribution of 352 MeV 197 Au ions emerging from a carbon foil using the bending magnet that is a part of the cyclotron beam injection system. The measured mean charge was approx.38.5, about 4.5 charge-states lower than predicted by the Sayer semi-empirical formula. The measurements reported here were done more precisely and systematically confirm that preliminary result. 12 refs., 5 figs., 4 tabs

These measurements were undertaken as a consequence of our failure early this year to accelerate Au/sup +46/ ions in the Oak Ridge Isochronous Cyclotron using an injected beam of 352 MeV /sup 197/Au/sup +17/ from the 25 MV tandem accelerator. Following that unsuccessful test, we made a preliminary measurement of the charge-state distribution of 352 MeV /sup 197/Au ions emerging from a carbon foil using the bending magnet that is a part of the cyclotron beam injection system. The measured mean charge was approx.38.5, about 4.5 charge-states lower than predicted by the Sayer semi-empirical formula. The measurements reported here were done more precisely and systematically confirm that preliminary result. 12 refs., 5 figs., 4 tabs.

We report a synthesis of tea components conjugated gold nanostars (AuNSs) with strong near infrared absorption by reducing an aqueous solution of chloroauric acid trihydrate via green tea in association with Ag(I) ions. Green tea acts as a reducing agent by providing electrons for the gold (III) reduction as well as a stabilizing agent by conjugating some of its components on the surfaces of AuNSs. Moreover, the Ag(I) ions play an important role in mediating the branched growth of the resulta...

Equilibrium charge state distributions have been measured for 1.04 MeV per nucleon krypton ions in heavy vapours with molecular weights from 462 to 6500. Non-equilibrium data are presented for the heaviest vapour. A maximum increase of 0.8 in the mean charge is found relative to a conventional diatomic gas but the pressures required are two orders of magnitude less. (Auth.)

For the first time we investigated in a kinematically complete experiment the ionization of helium in collisions with H 2 + -molecular ions at 1 MeV. Using two separate detectors, the orientation of the projectile H 2 + -molecular ions was determined at the instance of the collision. The electron angular distribution was measured by a R eaction Microscope . The observed structures are found in agreement with theoretical calculations, indicating that the ionized electron of He shows a slight preferential emission direction parallel to the molecular axis.

A unique mesh wall ionization chamber (approximating a wall-less ionization chamber) was used to measure dose as a function of radial distance from a 930 MeV 4 He ion beam in air. Measurements were made at distances from about 10 to 40 cm from the ion path. This represents simulated distances of approximately 102 to 404 μm in tissue having a density of 1 g/cm 3 . Experimental values are compared with theoretical calculations, and probable causes of differences found are discussed. (auth)

We report the effects of heavy ion irradiation on the optical, structural, and chemical properties of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film used in commercial bottled water. PET bottles were exposed with 120 MeV Ni ions at fluences varying from 3 x 10 10 to 3 x 10 12 ion/cm 2 . The modifications so induced were analyzed by using UV-Vis, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Substantial decrease in optical band gap is observed with the increase in ion fluence. In the FTIR spectra, most of bands are decreased due the degradation of the molecular structure. XRD measurements show the decrease in peak intensity, which reflects the loss of crystallinity after irradiation.

Experiments involving the use of MeV molecular-ion beams have yielded new information on atomic collisions in solids. A central part of the analyses of such experiments is a knowledge of the distribution of internuclear separations contained in the incident beam. In an attempt to determine how these distributions depend on ion-source gas conditions, we have studied foil-induced dissociations of H 2+ , H 3+ , HeH + , and OH 2+ ions. Although changes of ion-source gas compositions and pressure were found to have no measurable influence on the vibrational state populations of the beams reaching our target, for HeH + we found that beams produced in our rf source were vibrationally hotter than beams produced in a duoplasmatron. This was also seen in studies of neutral fragments and transmitted molecules

Present study demonstrates an enhancement in thermoelectric power of 10% Ag doped PbTe (PbTe:Ag) thin films when irradiated with 200 keV Ar ion. X-ray diffraction showed an increase in crystallinity for both PbTe and PbTe:10Ag nano-composite films after Ar ion irradiation due to annealing of defects in the grain boundaries. The preferential sputtering of Pb and Te ions in comparison to Agions resulted in the formation of nano-dots. This was further confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Such an enhancement in thermoelectric power of irradiated PbTe:10Ag films in comparison to pristine PbTe:10Ag film is attributed to the decrease in charge carrier concentration that takes part in the transport process via restricting the tunneling of carriers through the wider potential barrier formed at the interface of nano-dots.

Radioactive iodine isotopes are released into the environment by the nuclear industry and medical research institutions using radioactive materials, and have negative effects on organisms living within the ecosystem. Thus, safe disposal of radioactive iodine is necessary and crucial. For this reason, the uptake of iodide ions was investigated in Ag2O nanocrystal grafted sodium niobate nanofibers, which were prepared by forming a well-matched phase coherent interface between them. The resulting composite was applied as an efficient adsorbent for I(-) anions by forming an AgI precipitate, which also remained firmly attached to the substrates. Due to their one-dimensional morphology, the new adsorbents can be easily dispersed in liquids and readily separated after purification. This significantly enhances the adsorption efficiency and reduces the separation costs. The change in structure from the pristine sodium niobate to Ag2O anchored sodium niobate and to the used adsorbent was examined by using various characterization techniques. The effects of Ag(+) concentration, pH, equilibration time, ionic strength and competing ions on the iodide ion removal ability of the composite were studied. The Ag2O nanocrystal grafted sodium niobate adsorbent showed a high adsorption capacity and excellent selectivity for I(-) anions in basic solutions. Our results are useful for the further development of improved adsorbents for removing I(-) anions from basic wastewater.

Poly-allyl-diglycol-carbonate (CR-39) specimens were irradiated with 5.2 MeV doubly charged carbon ions using Pelletron accelerator. Ion dose was varied from 5 × 1013 to 5 × 1015 ions cm-2. Optical, structural, and chemical properties were investigated by UV-vis spectroscopy, x-ray diffractometer, and FTIR/Raman spectroscopy, respectively. It was found that optical absorption increases with increasing ion dose. Absorption edge shifts from UV region to visible region. The measured opacity values of pristine and ion implanted CR-39 range from 0.0519 to 4.7959 mm-1 following an exponential growth (9141%) with the increase in ion dose. The values of direct and indirect band gap energy decrease exponentially with an increase in ion dose by 59% and 71%, respectively. However, average refractive index in the visible region increases from 1.443 to 2.864 with an increase in ion dose, by 98%. A linear relation between band gap energy and crystallite size was observed. Both the number of carbon atoms in conjugation length and the number of carbon atoms per cluster increase linearly with the increase in ion dose. FTIR spectra showed that on C+2 ions irradiation, the intensity of all bands decreases gradually without appearance of any new band, indicating degradation of polymer after irradiation. Raman spectra revealed that the density of -CH2- group decreases on C+2 ions irradiation. However, the structure of CR-39 is completely destroyed on irradiation with ion dose 1 × 1015 and 5 × 1015 ions cm-2.

Novel Bi/BiOBr/AgBr composite microspheres were prepared by a rational in situ ion exchange reaction between Bi/BiOBr microspheres and AgNO3. The characteristic of the as-obtained ternary microspheres was tested by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis DRS) and photoluminescence (PL). Under visible light irradiation, Bi/BiOBr/AgBr microspheres exhibited an excellent photocatalytic efficiency for rhodamine B (RhB) degradation, which was about 1.4 and 4.9 times as high as that of Bi/BiOBr and BiOBr/AgBr, demonstrating that the highest separation efficiency of charge carriers in the heterostructured Bi/BiOBr/AgBr. The photocatalytic activity of Bi/BiOBr/AgBr microspheres just exhibited a slight decrease after three consecutive cycles. The photocatalytic mechanism investigation confirmed that the superoxide radicals (O2•-) were the dominant reactive oxygen species for RhB degradation in Bi/BiOBr/AgBr suspension.

The nominal parameters for helions (helion is the bound state of two protons and one neutron, the nucleus of a helium-3 atom) and gold ions in Booster, AGS, and RHIC are given for the FY2014 running period. The parameters are found using various formulas to derive mass, helion anomalous g-factor, kinetic parameters, RF parameters, ring parameters, etc..

Single- and two-particle inclusive cross sections for the production of light nuclei and intermediate mass fragments, 3< or =Z< or =24, were measured at angles well beyond the grazing angle for /sup 32/S-induced reactions on Ag at 720 MeV. Information about fragment multiplicities and reaction dynamics was extracted from measurements of light particles, intermediate mass fragments, and targetlike residues in coincidence with intermediate mass fragments. Incomplete linear momentum transfer and non-compound-particle emission are important features of collisions producing intermediate mass fragments. About half of the incident kinetic energy in these collisions is converted into internal excitation. The mean multiplicity of intermediate mass fragments is of the order of 1. Particle correlations are strongly enhanced in the plane which contains the intermediate mass fragment and the beam axis

Analyzing powers and isotope ratios have been measured for ejectiles with Z≤7 emitted at forward angles in the 200-MeV rvec p+ nat Ag reaction. The observed analyzing powers are consistent with zero, and thus do not provide evidence for a significant contribution from cluster knockout, or similar direct formation mechanisms. Fragment kinetic-energy spectra above the Coulomb peak are compared with a coalescence calculation. The isotopic composition of the elemental kinetic-energy spectra is found to favor N/Z≥1 nuclei for fragment energies near the exit-channel Coulomb energy, whereas species with N/Z≤1 are more abundant in the high-energy spectral tails. This behavior is consistent with the predictions of an accreting source calculation

Recent measurements on stopping power of aluminum have been continued with the stopping materials Be, Cu, Ag, Pt, and Au. The method of measuring stopping powers utilizing a thermometric compensation technique working at liquid-helium temperature has been used. Results are obtained with a standard...... deviation of 0.3%, and agree with other published experimental results and with Bichsel's tabulated values within their stated errors....

Room temperature ferromagnetism in 1.2 MeV argon ions irradiated polycrystalline ZnO has been observed. The magnetic contribution in form of saturation magnetization is higher in sample irradiated with ion fluence of 1 × 10 15 ions/cm 2 . However, annealing of the defects at higher fluences of 5 × 10 15 ions/cm 2 reduce the magnetic contribution in comparison to the magnetic contribution of the lower fluences. The X-ray diffraction reveals that the degree of crystallinity decreases with the increase of ion fluences upto 1 × 10 15 ions/cm 2 and further it increases at a fluence of 5 × 10 15 ions/cm 2 . The inhomogeneous arrangement of grains and changes in their sizes with increasing ion fluences decrease the magnetic ordering of the system. The electron probe microstructure analyses and micro-Raman spectra of irradiated samples show in-homogeneity in zinc and oxygen ratio which is one of the causes to show ferromagnetism.

The scenario of “electron capture and loss” has been recently proposed for the formation of negative ion and neutral atom beams with up to MeV kinetic energy [S. Ter-Avetisyan, et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 99, 051501 (2011)]. Validation of these processes and of their generic nature is here provided in experiments where the ion source and the interaction medium have been spatially separated. Fast positive ions accelerated from a laser plasma source are sent through a cold spray where their charge is changed. Such formed neutral atom or negative ion has nearly the same momentum as the original positive ion. Experiments are released for protons, carbon, and oxygen ions and corresponding beams of negative ions and neutral atoms have been obtained. The electron capture and loss phenomenon is confirmed to be the origin of the negative ion and neutral atom beams. The equilibrium ratios of different charge components and cross sections have been measured. Our method is general and allows the creation of beams of neutral atoms and negative ions for different species which inherit the characteristics of the positive ion source

Relativistic heavy ion program at BNL started in 1986. Already a few experiments have achieved their first goals. Several interesting features reported among which are: The black nuclear transparency, the enhanced K + /π + ratio and the larger t > for K + and proton in central Si+Au collisions. Comparisons of m t and dn/dy distributions between pp, pA and AA are discussed together with various model calculations. (orig.)

Full Text Available The paper deals with research of formation characteristics of silver nanoparticles in fluorophosphate glasses 0.25 Na2O - 0.5 P2O5 - 0.10 Ga2O3 - 0.075 AlF3 - 0.025 NaF - 0.05 ZnF2 doped with EuF3 (0.8 and 4 wt.% and without them. The synthesis was carried out in closed glassy carbon crucibles in argon atmosphere. Nanoparticles were formed after a low temperature process of Ag+ → Na+ ion-exchange (320 °C and subsequent heat treatment. It was shown that in the initial glasses doped with EuF3, rare earth ions exist in two valence forms (Eu2+ and Eu3+ in dynamic equilibrium and the concentration of Eu2+ increases proportionally to the total concentration of fluoride. It was shown that sizes of molecular clusters or metal nanoparticles depend on the concentration of europium fluoride and duration of ion exchange. The metallic Ag-nanoparticles sizes were defined for different times of heat treatment and ion exchange. The possibility of the stimulating growth of nanoparticles through the introduction of additional EuF3 in the glass was proved. The possibility of obtaining nanoparticles without the heat treatment in glasses with a high concentration of EuF3 was shown. Chemical mechanism for the formation of Ag-nanoparticles during the ion exchange was suggested.

The AGS Booster synchrotron has been designed to accelerate protons from 200 MeV to 1.5 GeV and heavy ions from several MeV per nucleon to several hundred MeV per nucleon for all the nuclei up to gold. The design requirements and measurements results of major accelerator components and systems are presented. The early commissioning results of the injection is also presented. 12 refs., 9 figs., 2 tabs

MeV dc ion accelerators are being developed that can deliver a beam current up to several hundred micro-amperes. At the low-energy part of the accelerator, the beam transport is space-charge dominated rather than emittance dominated. A system of differential equations has been derived, based on the Kapchinski-Vladimirski equations, which describe the envelope of a space-charge loaded ion beam, taking a longitudinal electrical field in an accelerating tube into account. The equations have been used to design the accelerator of a high-current 1 MV heavy-ion implantation facility. Furthermore, the design of a 2 MV accelerator is presented, which is used for analyzing techniques such as RBS and PIXE. Both facilities are based on single-ended Van de Graaff accelerators. (orig.)

The 3 MeV protons created by d(d,p)t fusion reactions in a moderately sized tokamak leave the plasma on trajectories determined by the position of their birth and by the poloidal magnetic field. Pitch-angle resolution of the escaping 3 MeV protons can separately resolve the spatial distribution of the d(d,p)t fusion reactions and the poloidal field distribution inside the tokamak. These diagnostic techniques have been demonstrated on PLT with an array of collimated surface barrier detectors

Efficient acceleration of Gold ions to ll GeV/nucleon places strong constraints on the vacuum and also on the choice of thickness and material of the necessary stripping foils. Results of a number of detailed experimental studies performed with the Gold beam at the Brookhaven Booster and AGS to determine the relevant electron stripping and pick-up probabilities are presented. Of particular interest is the lifetime of the relatively low energy, partially stripped Gold beam in the Booster and the stripping efficiency to Helium-like AU +77 for injection into the AGS

This study deals with the development of a novel technique for formation of advanced Ag nanostructures (NSs) to be applied to high-resolution analyses based on surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). It has direct bearing on human health and food quality, e.g., monitoring small amount or traces of pollutants or undesirable additives. Three types of nanostructured Ag samples were produced using ion-beam deposition at glancing angle (GLAD) on quartz. All fabricated structures were covered with BI-58 pesticide (dimethoate) or Rhodamine 6G (R6G) for testing their potential for use as substrates for (SERS).

Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer We modify the properties of Ag{sup +} exchanged glasses by thermal and laser treatment. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The induced microstructural changes are analyzed by optical and Raman spectroscopy. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Ag-based species in the glass show a peculiar PL activity in the UV-Vis range. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Raman and OA analysis allow for determining the Ag cluster size evolution. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Laser processing leads to different cluster formation and fragmentation mechanisms. - Abstract: Ion exchange process is widely used to dope silicate glass layers with silver for several applications, ranging from light waveguide to nanostructured composite glass fabrication. The silver-doped structure and its physical properties depend on the preparation parameters as well as on subsequent treatments. In particular, laser irradiation of the ion exchanged glasses has been demonstrated to be an effective tool to control cluster size and size distribution. Nevertheless, a complete comprehension of the basic phenomena and a systematic characterization of these systems are still lacking. In this paper, an extended optical characterization is presented for soda-lime glass slides, doped with silver by Ag{sup +}-Na{sup +} ion exchange, thermally treated and irradiated with a Nd:YAG laser beam at different wavelengths, and for different energy density. The samples were characterized by various spectroscopic techniques, namely, optical absorption, photoluminescence and micro-Raman analysis. The availability of all these characterization techniques allowed pointing out a suitable scenario for the Ag clustering evolution as a function of the ion exchange, annealing and laser irradiation parameters.

Raman scattering, IR reflectance and modulated-DSC measurements are performed on specifically prepared dry (AgI)x(AgPO3)1-x glasses over a wide range of compositions 0%37.8% are elastically flexible. Raman optical elasticity power laws, trends in the nature of the glass transition endotherms, corroborate the three elastic phase assignments. Ionic conductivities reveal a step-like increase when glasses become stress-free at x>xc(1) = 9.5% and a logarithmic increase in conductivity (σ~(x-xc(2))μ) once they become flexible at x>xc(2) = 37.8% with a power law μ = 1.78. The power law is consistent with percolation of 3D filamentary conduction pathways. Traces of water doping lower Tg and narrow the reversibility window, and can also completely collapse it. Ideas on network flexibility promoting ion conduction are in harmony with the unified approach of Ingram et al (2008 J. Phys. Chem. B 112 859), who have emphasized the similarity of process compliance or elasticity relating to ion transport and structural relaxation in decoupled systems. Boson mode frequency and scattering strength display thresholds that coincide with the two elastic phase boundaries. In particular, the scattering strength of the boson mode increases almost linearly with glass composition x, with a slope that tracks the floppy mode fraction as a function of mean coordination number r predicted by mean-field rigidity theory. These data suggest that the excess low frequency vibrations contributing to the boson mode in flexible glasses come largely from floppy modes.

To disentangle the contribution of ionic and nanoparticulate Ag to the overall toxicity to the earthworm Eisenia fetida, a semi-permeable membrane strategy was used to separate Ag+ released from silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in an aqueous exposure. Internal Ag fractionation, activities of antioxidant

Trying to outline the energy dependence of surface deformations such as exfoliation and flaking on candidate CTR first-wall materials, stainless steel and two types of inconels were bombarded by 0.8, 1 and 4 MeV helium ions. All the bombarded spots could be characterized by by large exfoliations covering almost the total implanted area. No spontaneous rupture was observed except on one type of inconel where flaking took place right after reaching the critical dose. After mechanical opening of the formations, similar inner morphology was found as in our previous studies on gold. (author)

An easily prepared fluorescent Ag nanoclusters (Ag NCs) probe for the sensitive and selective detection of Hg2+ and Cu2+ ions was developed here. The Ag NCs were synthesized by using polymethacrylic acid sodium salt as a template via a convenient hydrothermal process. The as-prepared fluorescent Ag NCs were monodispersed, uniform and less than 2 nm in diameter, and can be quenched in the presence of mercury (Hg2+) or copper (Cu2+) ions. Excellent linear relationships existed between the quenching degree of the Ag NCs and the concentrations of Hg2+ or Cu2+ ions in the range of 10 nM to 20 μM or 10 nM to 30 μM, respectively. By using ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) as the masking agent of Cu2+, Hg2+ was exclusively detected in coexistence with Cu2+ with high sensitivity (LOD = 10 nM), which also provided a reusable detection method for Cu2+. Furthermore, the different quenching phenomena caused by the two metals ions such as changes in visible colour, shifts of UV absorbance peaks and changes in size of Ag NCs make it easy to distinguish between them. Therefore the easily synthesized fluorescent Ag NCs may have great potential as Hg2+ and Cu2+ ions sensors.An easily prepared fluorescent Ag nanoclusters (Ag NCs) probe for the sensitive and selective detection of Hg2+ and Cu2+ ions was developed here. The Ag NCs were synthesized by using polymethacrylic acid sodium salt as a template via a convenient hydrothermal process. The as-prepared fluorescent Ag NCs were monodispersed, uniform and less than 2 nm in diameter, and can be quenched in the presence of mercury (Hg2+) or copper (Cu2+) ions. Excellent linear relationships existed between the quenching degree of the Ag NCs and the concentrations of Hg2+ or Cu2+ ions in the range of 10 nM to 20 μM or 10 nM to 30 μM, respectively. By using ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) as the masking agent of Cu2+, Hg2+ was exclusively detected in coexistence with Cu2+ with high sensitivity (LOD = 10 nM), which also provided a

Graphical abstract: TEM images of the Ag/SiO 2 -2 nanohybrids. The homogeneous and more mono-disperse Ag nanoparticles deposit on SiO 2 spheres. Through this method, Ag nanoparticles are easily formed on the surface of SiO 2 compared to other methods. Highlights: ► We prepared homogeneous and mono-dispersed Ag/SiO 2 -2 nanohybrids by adding Fe 3+ ions. ► The Ag/SiO 2 -2 nanohybrids had core(SiO 2 )-shell(Ag) structure. ► The Ag/SiO 2 -2 nanohybrids exhibited excellent antibacterial activity against bacteria. ► The reaction temperature was lower and the yield of Ag/SiO 2 -2 nanohybrids were higher. - Abstract: Highly monodispersed Ag/SiO 2 nanohybrids with excellent antibacterial property were synthesized by using DMF as a reducing agent and employing an additional redox potential of metal Fe 3+ ion as a catalytic agent. The obtained Ag/SiO 2 -2 nanohybrids of about 240 nm were highly monodispersity and uniformity by adding trace Fe 3+ ions into the reaction which Ag + reacted with N,N-dimethyl formamide (DMF) at 70 °C. Compared to the conventional techniques, which need long time and high temperature for silica coating of Ag nanoparticles, this new method was capable of synthesizing monodispersed, uniform, high yield Ag/SiO 2 nanohybrids. The electron was transferred from the Fe 2+ ion to the Ag + ion to accelerate the nucleation of silver nanoparticles. The chemical structures, morphologies and properties of the Ag/SiO 2 nanohybrids were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), (High-resolution, Scanning transmission) transmission electron microscopy (TEM, HRTEM and STEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV–vis spectroscopy (UV–vis) and test of antibacterial. The results demonstrated that the silver nanoparticles supported on the surface of SiO 2 spheres in Ag/SiO 2 -2 nanohybrids structure, the Ag nanoparticles were homogeneous and monodispersed. The results also indicated that the Ag/SiO 2 -2 nanohybrid had excellent antibacterial.

The stopping powers of gases have been measured for incident 10 Ne, 18 Ar, 29 Cu, 36 Kr and 47 Agions of 3 to 13 MeV/u. These measurements have confirmed the existence of a gas-solid difference for the stopping powers (the stopping power of solids being larger than that of gazes). Such a difference was theoretically postulated by Bohr and Lindhard in 1954, and experimentally observed for the first time by Geissel in 1982. This effect can be qualitatively interpreted by a difference in the ion's effective charge in stopping power. However, the determination of charge state distribution for Ar and Fe ions in two particular cases (Ar + Nsub(2s)or Nsub(2g) and (Fe + Csub(s) or Csub(g)) from a theoric model and experimental cross sections for atomic collisions don't quantitatively account for observed differences [fr

In this research the implantation of Fe ions on the Ag substrate withsome variation of ion dose and energy as well as annealing temperature havebeen done. The aim of this research was to obtain the magnetic thin filmswhich has a minimum specific resistance and a optimum GMR ratio. On the ionimplantation process the variation of ion dose from 1.5 x 10 17 ions/cm 2 upto 9.0 x 10 17 ions/cm 2 and ion energy from 40 keV to 100 keV. After ionimplantation the samples was annealed on the temperatures of 100 o C, 300 o Cand 500 o C during 30 minutes, respectively. The specific resistance ofsamples were measured by using a four point probe, and the magnetoresistancewas obtained by measuring the specific resistance of samples in the magneticfield. The microstructure of samples was investigated by using SEM and thechanging of the chemical composition was determined by EDAXS. Based on thedata analysis was obtained that the minimum specific resistance was (167 ±3) x 10 -9 Ωm and the optimum GMR ratio was 64.9 % were occurred oncondition of the ion dose of 6.0 x 10 17 ions/cm 2 , the ion energy of 100keV and the annealing temperature of 300 o C. The analysis of chemicalcomposition on the optimum condition was obtained that the content of Feelement was 1.13 % weight. (author)

GaN and AlN thin films were implanted with cadmium (Cd) or silver (Ag), to fluences ranging from 1×1013 to 1.7 × 1015 at/cm$^{2}$. The implanted samples were annealed at 950 ºC under flowing nitrogen. While implantation damage could be fully removed for the lowest fluences, for higher fluences the crystal quality was only partially recovered. For the high fluence samples the lattice site location of the ions was studied by Rutherford Backscattering/ channelling (RBS/C). Cd ions are found to be incorporated in substitutional cation sites (Al or Ga) while Ag is slightly displaced from this position. To further investigate the incorporation sites, Perturbed Angular Correlation (PAC) measurements were performed and the electric field gradients at the site of the probe nuclei were determined.

The strategies invoked to satisfy the injected beam specifications for the Brookhaven Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) continue to evolve, in the context of the yearly AGS fixed target heavy ion physics runs. The primary challenge is simply producing the required intensity. The acceleration flexibility available particularly in the Booster main magnet power supply and rf accelerating systems, together with variations in the charge state delivered from the Tandem van de Graaff, and accommodation by the AGS main magnet and rf systems allow the possibility for a wide range of options. The yearly physics run provides the opportunity for exploration of these options with the resulting significant evolution in the acceleration plan. This was particularly true in 1994 with strategies involving three different charge states and low and high acceleration rates employed in the Booster. The present status of this work will be presented

Carbon ions were found to be effective for cancer treatment. These heavy ions have a high relative biological effectiveness compared to those of photons. They have higher linear energy transfer and sharper Bragg peak with a very excellent local tumor control. However, the dose of these swift heavy ions needs to be measured with great accuracy. Lithium fluoride (LiF) is a highly sensitive phosphor widely used for radiation dosimetry. In this work Eu activated LiF nanocubes were exposed to 85 MeV C{sup 6+} ion beam and evaluated for their thermoluminescence (TL) response. Pellet forms of this nanomaterial were exposed to these ions in the fluence range 10{sup 9}–10{sup 13} ions/cm{sup 2}. The obtained result shows a prominent TL glow peak at around 320 °C, which is different than that induced by gamma rays. This glow peak exhibits a linear response in the range 10{sup 9}–10{sup 12} ions/cm{sup 2}, corresponding to the equivalent absorbed doses 0.273–273 kGy. The absorbed doses, penetration depths and main energy loss were calculated using TRIM code based on the Monte Carlo simulation. The supralinearity function and stopping power in this nanomaterial were also studied. The modification induced in the glow curve structure as a result of changing irradiation type might be utilized to use LiF:Eu nanocubes as a dosimeter for mixed filed radiations. Moreover, the wide linear response of LiF:Eu nanocubes along with the low fading are another imperative results suggesting that this nanomaterial might be a good candidate for carbon ions dosimetry.

Carbon ions were found to be effective for cancer treatment. These heavy ions have a high relative biological effectiveness compared to those of photons. They have higher linear energy transfer and sharper Bragg peak with a very excellent local tumor control. However, the dose of these swift heavy ions needs to be measured with great accuracy. Lithium fluoride (LiF) is a highly sensitive phosphor widely used for radiation dosimetry. In this work Eu activated LiF nanocubes were exposed to 85 MeV C 6+ ion beam and evaluated for their thermoluminescence (TL) response. Pellet forms of this nanomaterial were exposed to these ions in the fluence range 10 9 –10 13 ions/cm 2 . The obtained result shows a prominent TL glow peak at around 320 °C, which is different than that induced by gamma rays. This glow peak exhibits a linear response in the range 10 9 –10 12 ions/cm 2 , corresponding to the equivalent absorbed doses 0.273–273 kGy. The absorbed doses, penetration depths and main energy loss were calculated using TRIM code based on the Monte Carlo simulation. The supralinearity function and stopping power in this nanomaterial were also studied. The modification induced in the glow curve structure as a result of changing irradiation type might be utilized to use LiF:Eu nanocubes as a dosimeter for mixed filed radiations. Moreover, the wide linear response of LiF:Eu nanocubes along with the low fading are another imperative results suggesting that this nanomaterial might be a good candidate for carbon ions dosimetry

Physical and chemical changes induced by 70 MeV carbon ions ( 12 C 5+ ) have been investigated in bulk polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) polymer. The induced changes have been studied with respect to their optical, chemical and structural response using UV-visible, FTIR and XRD techniques. The ion fluences ranging from 2.5x10 11 to 9x10 13 ions cm -2 have been used to study the irradiation effects. It has been observed that at the fluence of 9x10 13 ions cm -2 the PVDF sample became brittle and practically it was not possible to handle it for any further measurements. The recorded UV-visible spectra show that the optical absorption increases with increasing fluence, indicating maximum absorption at 200 nm. An interesting feature of UV-visible spectra is that dips change into peaks and vice versa with increase of fluence. In the FTIR spectra, development of new peaks at 1714 and 3692 cm -1 along with disappearance of peaks at 2363 and 3025 cm -1 and shifting of peak at 2984-2974 cm -1 have been observed due to high energy irradiation, indicating the chemical changes induced by 12 C 5+ . The diffraction pattern of PVDF indicates that this polymer is semi-crystalline in nature; a large decrease in the diffraction intensity indicates decrease in crystallinity. Increase in crystallite size has also been observed due to heavy ion irradiation

Hardening and elemental segregation of T91 martenstic steel irradiated by 10 MeV Cl ions to doses from 0.06 dpa to 0.83 dpa were investigated with the nanoindentation technique and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results demonstrated that the irradiation hardening was closely related with irradiation dose. By increasing the dose, the hardness increased rapidly at first from the initial value of 3.15 GPa before irradiation, and then tended to saturate at a value of 3.58 GPa at the highest dose of 0.83 dpa. Combined with TEM observation, the mechanism of hardening was preliminary attributed to the formation of M(Fe,Cr) 2 3C 6 carbides induced by the high energy Cl-ion irradiation. (paper)

The performance of thermoelectric materials and devices is characterized by a dimensionless figure of merit, ZT = S2σT/K, where, S and σ denote, respectively, the Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity, T is the absolute temperature in Kelvin and K represents the thermal conductivity. The figure of merit may be improved by means of raising either S or σ or by lowering K. In our laboratory, we have fabricated and characterized the performance of a large variety of thermoelectric generators (TEG). Two TEG groups comprised of 50 and 100 alternating layers of Si/Si + Ge multi-nanolayered superlattice films have been fabricated and thoroughly characterized. Ion beam assisted deposition (IBAD) was utilized to assemble the alternating sandwiched layers, resulting in total thickness of 300 nm and 317 nm for 50 and 100 layer devices, respectively. Rutherford Backscattering Spectroscopy (RBS) was employed in order to monitor the precise quantity of Si and Ge utilized in the construction of specific multilayer thin films. The material layers were subsequently impregnated with quantum dots and/or quantum clusters, in order to concurrently reduce the cross plane thermal conductivity, increase the cross plane Seebeck coefficient and raise the cross plane electrical conductivity. The quantum dots/clusters were implanted via the 5 MeV Si ion bombardment which was performed using a Pelletron high energy ion beam accelerator. We have achieved remarkable results for the thermoelectric and optical properties of the Si/Si + Ge multilayer thin film TEG systems. We have demonstrated that with optimal setting of the 5 MeV Si ion beam bombardment fluences, one can fabricate TEG systems with figures of merits substantially higher than the values previously reported.

The performance of thermoelectric materials and devices is characterized by a dimensionless figure of merit, ZT = S{sup 2}σT/K, where, S and σ denote, respectively, the Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity, T is the absolute temperature in Kelvin and K represents the thermal conductivity. The figure of merit may be improved by means of raising either S or σ or by lowering K. In our laboratory, we have fabricated and characterized the performance of a large variety of thermoelectric generators (TEG). Two TEG groups comprised of 50 and 100 alternating layers of Si/Si + Ge multi-nanolayered superlattice films have been fabricated and thoroughly characterized. Ion beam assisted deposition (IBAD) was utilized to assemble the alternating sandwiched layers, resulting in total thickness of 300 nm and 317 nm for 50 and 100 layer devices, respectively. Rutherford Backscattering Spectroscopy (RBS) was employed in order to monitor the precise quantity of Si and Ge utilized in the construction of specific multilayer thin films. The material layers were subsequently impregnated with quantum dots and/or quantum clusters, in order to concurrently reduce the cross plane thermal conductivity, increase the cross plane Seebeck coefficient and raise the cross plane electrical conductivity. The quantum dots/clusters were implanted via the 5 MeV Si ion bombardment which was performed using a Pelletron high energy ion beam accelerator. We have achieved remarkable results for the thermoelectric and optical properties of the Si/Si + Ge multilayer thin film TEG systems. We have demonstrated that with optimal setting of the 5 MeV Si ion beam bombardment fluences, one can fabricate TEG systems with figures of merits substantially higher than the values previously reported.

The field of ultra-relativistic heavy ion physics, which started some 10 years ago at the Brookhaven AGS and the CERN SPS with fixed target experiments, has entering today a new era with the recent (July 2000) start-up of the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider RHIC and preparations well under way for a new large heavy ion experiment at the Large Hadron Collider LHC. This overview, which is the combined write-up of talks given at this conference [1] and in [2], will sketch a rough picture of the heavy ion program at current and future machines and concentrate on a few important topics, in particular the question if current results show any of the signs predicted for the phase transition between normal hadronic matter and the Quark-Gluon Plasma

Spherical silver nanoparticles were prepared by means of ion beam synthesis in lithium niobate. The embedded nanoparticles were then irradiated with energetic "8"4Kr and "1"9"7Au ions, resulting in different electronic energy losses between 8.1 and 27.5 keV nm"−"1 in the top layer of the samples. Due to the high electronic energy losses of the irradiating ions, molten ion tracks are formed inside the lithium niobate in which the elongated Ag nanoparticles are formed. This process is strongly dependent on the initial particle size and leads to a broad aspect ratio distribution. Extinction spectra of the samples feature the extinction maximum with shoulders on either side. While the maximum is caused by numerous remaining spherical nanoparticles, the shoulders can be attributed to elongated particles. The latter could be verified by COMSOL simulations. The extinction spectra are thus a superposition of the spectra of all individual particles. (paper)

Since the start of ultra-relativistic heavy ion experimentation, some 10 years ago at the Brookhaven AGS and the CERN SPS, this field has now entered its most decisive and productive phase ever. The advent of a new generation of detectors, and most important, the availability of really heavy ion beams, has lead in the last three years to exciting new results which are of relevance to the most crucial questions this field has been addressing since 1986: do we see in ultra-relativistic heavy ion collisions signs for deconfinement, signs for chiral symmetry restoration, signs for equilibrated hadronic matter? The tantalizing answer today to each of these questions seems to be: yes! This summary talk will sketch a rough picture of the heavy ion program at current and future machines and concentrate on a few important topics; more detailed discussions and additional data can be found e.g. in the Proceedings of the latest Quark-Matter Conference

Silver/titania nanocomposites with strong bactericidal effects and good biocompatibility/environmental safety show a high potential for antibacterial applications. Tailoring the silver ion release is thus highly promising to optimize the antibacterial properties of such coatings and to preserve biocompatibility. Reactive sputtering is a fast and versatile method for the preparation of such Ag/TiOx nanocomposites coatings. The present work is concerned with the influence of sputter parameters on the surface morphology and silver ion release properties of reactively sputtered Ag/TiOx nanocomposites coatings showing a silver nanoparticle size distribution in the range from 1 to 20 nm. It is shown that the silver ion release rate strongly depends on the total pressure: the coatings prepared at lower pressure present a lower but long-lasting release behavior. The much denser structure produced under these conditions reduces the transport of water molecules into the coating. In addition, the influence of microstructure and thickness of titanium oxide barriers on the silver ion release were investigated intensively. Moreover, for the coatings prepared at high total pressure, it was demonstrated that stable and long-lasting silver release can be achieved by depositing a barrier with a high rate. Nanocomposites produced under these conditions show well controllable silver ion release properties for applications as antibacterial coatings.

This paper describes a new method for the production of 103 Pd and 109 Cd using the 66 MeV proton beam of iThemba LABS on a tandem natural silver target (Ag/Ag). The radiochemical separation of the Pd radionuclides ( 103 Pd, 100 Pd) from the bulk nat Ag was done using a Chelex-100 chelating resin column. The recovery of 103 Pd from the irradiated nat Ag target was found to be >98 % without any Ag or Rh impurities detected. The radiochemical separation of 109 Cd from the bulk nat Ag target was done by the precipitation of Agions by Cu followed by the separation of 109 Cd, traces of Ag, Cu 2+ and Rh using a AG1-X10 anion exchange resin column. The recovery yield of 109 Cd was >99 % without any Ag or Rh impurities detected. (author)

The charge-state distribution of 500-keV He ions scattered from a SnTe (001) surface has been investigated using a new technique of high-resolution high-energy ion scattering spectroscopy. The observed charge-state distribution of ions scattered from the topmost atomic layer coincides with that of ions scattered from the subsurface region and does not depend on the incident charge state but depends on the exit angle. The observed exit-angle dependence is explained by a model which includes the charge-exchange process with the valence electrons in the tail of the electron distribution at the surface. (author)

Traditionally the scanning ion microprobe has given little or no information regarding the electronic structure of materials in particular semiconductors. A new imaging technique called Scanning Ion Deep Level Transient Spectroscopy (SIDLTS) is presented which is able to spatially map alterations in the band gap structure of materials by lattice defects or impurities. 3 refs., 2 figs.

In the MEQALAC (Multiple Electrostatic Quadrupole Linear Accelerator) multiple N+ ion beams are accelerated in 32 rf gaps, which are part of a modified interdigital-H-resonator operating at 25 MHz. The transverse focusing of the intense ion beams is achieved by means of sets of miniaturized

Traditionally the scanning ion microprobe has given little or no information regarding the electronic structure of materials in particular semiconductors. A new imaging technique called Scanning Ion Deep Level Transient Spectroscopy (SIDLTS) is presented which is able to spatially map alterations in the band gap structure of materials by lattice defects or impurities. 3 refs., 2 figs.

At high energy, heavy-ion elastic scattering probes the ion-ion potential in a large domain much inside the strong absorption radius. This results in a more precise determination of the real part of the nuclear potential and a consistent picture of its evolution with energy begins to emerge. It is relatively similar to that observed in light ion scattering. Even if the inelastic angular distributions seem to contain less refractive or interior contribution, coupled channel effects from these states are still important at least up to 20 MeV/n. Heavy-ion induced transfer reactions to discrete states have small cross sections but present a very strong selectivity for states with the highest available spin and could thus provide new and interesting spectroscopic information

The inclusive pion spectrum from the reaction 3 He+ 6 Li → π - +X at 910 MeV was measured at 0 0 with moderate resolution up to the kinematic limit of the two-body final-state reaction. A first analysis shows that the production of high-energy pions cannot be explained by the NN → NNπ process using conventional nucleon momentum distributions. At the end of the spectrum a clear deviation from the general falloff slope is observed and attributed to the doubly coherent reaction 3 He+ 6 Li → 9 C+π -

Full Text Available Modification by polymers and inorganic ions of the bioactive materials for orthopedic implants with the purpose of initiating controlled reactions in tissues that surround the implant, is one of the modern approaches in medical materials. A key feature of functional polymers is their ability to form complexes with various metal ions in solution. Chitosan is natural biopolymer with pronounced affinity to transition metal ions. Some researches prove the higher antimicrobial activity of Chitosan-metal complexes compared with pure Chitosan. The purpose of this work was the study of antimicrobial activity of Chitosan nanoparticles modified by metal ionsAg+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Mg2+ against reference strains S. aureus 25923 ATSS, E. coli ATCC 25922, C. albicans ATCC 885653 for their further use as components of the composite biomaterials for medical purpose.Chitosan nanoparticles suspension was prepared by known method based on the ionotropic gelation between chitosan and sodium tripolyphosphate.To obtain Chitosan-metal nanoparticles to the Chitosan suspension were added the corresponding metal ions aqueous solutions in quantity to match the concentration of metal ions of 200 ppm . Antibacterial activities of Ag+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Mg2+ ions doped Chitosan nanoparticles, pure Chitosan nanoparticles, metal ions and 1% (v/v acetic acid solution (it was used as solvent for Chitosan against bacteria were evaluated by determination of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC in vitro. Muller– Hinton (MH broth and MH agar (Russia were used as growth media. The bacteria suspension for further use was prepared with concentration that corresponded 0,5units by McFarland scale. The MIC was determined by a broth dilution method. The results were read after 24 hours of experimental tubes incubation at 37 oC as equivalent to the concentration of the tube without visible growth. To evaluate MBC, a sample of 0,1 ml was transferred from

In this paper theoretical calculation of the range for alpha particles with the energy range (4 – 15)MeV when passing in some metallic media (Cu , Ge , Ag , Cd , Te and Au).Semi empirical formula was used in addition to (SRIM-2012) program. The Semi empirical equation was programmed to calculate the range using Matlab Language.The results of the range in these media were compared with the results obtained from SRIM-2012 and )(2011)Andnet) results.There was good agreement among the semi empirical equation result , SRIM- 2012 results and with )(2011)Andnet) results in the low energy.The results showed exponential relation between the range of alpha particles in these media and the velocity of the particles.By recourse with SRIM- 2012 results and application them in Matlab program and by using Curve Fitting Tool we extraction equation with its constants to calculate the range of alpha particles in any element of these six elements with the energy range (4 – 15)MeV.The maximum deviation between the results from the semi empirical calculation and SRIM-2012 results was calculated the statistical test ( kstest2) in Matlab program

Deep inelastic fragments from the reaction sup(nat)Ag+340MeV 40 Ar have been studied in coincidence. Charged particles (10<=Z<=32) were detected and indentified in Z by means of a ΔE-E telescope, while the complementary fragments were detected in a one-dimensional solid-state position-sensitive detector. Both in-plane and out-of-plane correlations were measured. The results confirm the binary nature of the deep inelastic process for this reaction. From the measured energies and angles of the fragments and the atomic number of one of the fragments, it was possible to determine the total mass loss due to the de-excitation of the fragments as well as the total evaporated charge at symmetry. An iterative procedure is discussed which enables one to determine the masses and kinetic energies of the fragments before evaporation, as well as the total number of particles evaporated by each fragment. The widths of the in-plane and out-of-plane correlations agree with the results of the iterative calculations, as do evaporation calculations which are based on the charge equilibrium model. The experimental results support the charge equilibrium model and indicate that thermal equilibrium is achieved between the fragments at fixed mass asymmetry. (Auth.)

The Ag/WO3-wood was fabricated through a hydrothermal method and a silver mirror reaction. The system of visible-light activate Ag/WO3-wood was used to produce negative oxygen ions, and the effect of Ag nanoparticles on negative oxygen ions production was investigated. From the results of negative oxygen ions production tests, it can be observed that the sample doped with Ag nanoparticles, the concentration of negative oxygen ions is up to 1660 ions/cm3 after 60 min visible light irradiation. Moreover, for the Ag/WO3-wood, even after 60 min without irradiation, the concentration of negative oxygen ions could keep more than 1000 ions/cm3, which is up to the standard of the fresh air. Moreover, due to the porous structure of wood, the wood acted as substrate could promote the nucleation of nanoparticles, prevent the agglomeration of the particles, and thus lead the improvement of photocatalytic properties. And such wood-based functional materials with the property of negative oxygen ions production could be one of the most promising materials in the application of indoor decoration materials, which would meet people's pursuit of healthy, environment-friendly life.

The properties of protons under accleration by an ion cyclotron range of frequency (ICRF) waves with the second to fourth hydrogen harmonics have been investigated in the JT-60U tokamak at the Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute (JAERI). Protons have been accelerated up to 1 MeV in the presence of an ICRF wave of fixed frequency, neutral beams (NB), and a fixed toroidal magnetic field which is scanned through several plasma discharges. The tail temperature of the protons, which is evaluated in the range 0.32-0.86 MeV, has been observed to increase in the second to third harmonics, however increase of the tail temperature in the third to fourth harmonics has not been observed clearly. Furthermore, the dependence of tail temperature on the harmonic number has been found to be in qualitative agreement with results from a simulation code analysis based upon the one-dimensional Fokker-Planck equation coupled with the kinetic wave equation. Experimental values for the stored energy of the accelerated ions have shown, however, that the response of stored energy to changes in absorbed ICRF power is much stronger than the response to changes in harmonic number. Also, the incremental energy confinement times for heating discharges matching the third and fourth harmonics (3 ω CH) and 4 ω CH) of hydrogen have been observed to be less than half that for those matching the second harmonic. It has been found that suppression of the absorbed ICRF power accompanied with the occurence of cavity resonance in the 3ω CH and 4ω CH heating discharges reduces the stored energy of the accelerated ions and the incremental energy confinement time. (Author)

Ion implantation is known to enhance the mechanical properties of biomaterials such as, e.g., the wear resistance of orthopedic joints. Increasing the surface area of implants may likewise improve their integration with, e.g., bone tissue, which requires surface features with sizes in the micron range. Ion implantation of biocompatible metals has recently been demonstrated to induce surface ripples with wavelengths of a few microns. However, the physical mechanisms controlling the formation and characteristics of these patterns are yet to be understood. We bombard Ti and Ti-6Al-4V surfaces with 1.0-MeV Au+ ions. Analysis by scanning electron and atomic force microscopies shows the formation of surface ripples with typical dimensions in the micron range, with potential indeed for biomedical applications. Under the present specific experimental conditions, the ripple properties are seen to strongly depend on the fluence of the implanted ions while being weakly dependent on the target material. Moreover, by examining experiments performed for incidence angle values θ =8 ° , 23°, 49°, and 67°, we confirm the existence of a threshold incidence angle for (ripple) pattern formation. Surface indentation is also used to study surface features under additional values of θ , agreeing with our single-angle experiments. All properties of the surface structuring process are very similar to those found in the production of surface nanopatterns under low-energy ion bombardment of semiconductor targets, in which the stopping power is dominated by nuclear contributions, as in our experiments. We consider a continuum model that combines the effects of various physical processes as originally developed in that context, with parameters that we estimate under a binary-collision approximation. Notably, reasonable agreement with our experimental observations is achieved, even under our high-energy conditions. Accordingly, in our system, ripple formation is determined by mass

Simulations were performed describing the motion and breakup of energetic C 60 ions interacting with crystalline targets. A hybrid algorithm was used that employs a binary collision model for the scattering of the carbon ions by the atoms of the solid, and molecular dynamics for the Coulomb interactions of the 60 carbon ions with one another. For the case of yttrium iron garnet (YIG), directions such as [1 1 0], [1 0 0], [0 1 0] and [0 0 1] demonstrate channelling for a large fraction of the C ions. For directions such as [1 1 1], [2 1 1] and [7 5 3] the trajectories show no more channelling than for random directions. The effects of tilt, shielding and wake-field interactions were investigated for YIG and α-quartz

Optical and structural properties of single crystalline α-Al 2 O 3 were changed by the implantation of high fluences of Agions. Colourless transparent (101-bar 0) sapphire samples were implanted at room temperature with 160keV silver ions and fluences up to 1x10 17 Agcm -2 . Surface amorphization is observed at the fluence of 6x10 16 Agcm -2 . Except for the lower fluences (below 6x10 16 Agcm -2 ) the optical absorption spectra reveal the presence of a band peaking in the region 450-500nm, depending on the retained fluence. This band has been attributed to the presence of silver colloids, being thus 1x10 16 Agcm -2 below the threshold for colloid formation during the implantation. Annealing in oxidizing atmosphere promotes the recrystallization along with segregation of Ag followed by loss through evaporation. Recrystallization is retarded for annealing in reducing atmosphere and the Ag profile displays now a double peak structure after evaporation. Playing with the implantation fluence, temperature and annealing atmosphere controllable shifts of the position and intensity of the optical bands in the visible were achieved

Experimental data on investigation of bivalent silver ions in S 2 F 2 crystals are presented. Due to the investigation of the grown crystals it is determined that centres of univalent silver ore formed in SrF 2 during crystal growth. X-ray irradiation at room temperature results in the transition of these centres in bivalent staes. Investigation of temperature dependence of ESR spectra type has allowed to make the conclusion about the presence of Jahn-Teller dynamic effect. Analysis of experimental data allows to develop a model of the investigated paramagnetic complex in S 2 F 2 crystal where Ag 2* ion has coordination polyhedron in the form of eight F - ion cube distorted by C 3 3 axis

MgO(100) single crystals were implanted with 1.0 MeV and 200 keV Ni ions between 10{sup 15} and 10{sup 17} ions/cm{sup 2} at room temperature. Before and after thermal annealing the radiation damage and the lattice location of implanted Ni ions were analyzed by using Rutherford backscattering spectrometry with channeling and optical absorption measurements. For 1.0 MeV Ni ions, the disorder of Mg atoms increased slowly with ion dose near surface region, while it increased sharply and saturated with ion dose from 2x10{sup 16} ions/cm{sup 2} near ion range. The radiation damage was recovered and implanted Ni ions diffused to the whole of crystal and occupied substitutional positions after 1400degC annealing. For 200 keV Ni ions, the disorder of Mg atoms increased with dose near ion range and had a maximum at about 5x10{sup 16} ions/cm{sup 2}. This tendency agrees with the behavior of color centers obtained from optical measurements. For thermal annealing the radiation damage did not change during 500degC annealing, but the aggregate centers appeared after 300degC annealing. (author)

A helium beam at 3.5 MeV was used to induce damage in thin polypropylene film of 5.1 {mu}m in thickness. The fluence ranges from 2 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 12} to 3.5 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 15} cm{sup -2}. The evolution of the atomic composition (C and H) as a function of the fluence was investigated in situ by forward elastic scattering (C({alpha}, {alpha})C) and hydrogen elastic recoil detection (H({alpha}, H){alpha}), respectively. The helium beam was used at the same time for irradiation and analysis. In respect to the high sensitivity of the polypropylene to radiation damage, the beam current was kept at very low intensity of 0.5 nA. The mass loss becomes significant above a fluence of {approx}5 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 13} He{sup +} cm{sup -2}. The carbon depletion levels off at a fluence of {approx}5 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 14} He{sup +} cm{sup -2} approximately while hydrogen loss continues to be present along the whole of the studied fluence range. The final carbon and hydrogen losses, at the highest fluence, are around 17% and 48% of their initial contents, respectively. Satisfactory fits to the release curves have been obtained in the framework of the bulk molecular recombination model (BMR). The deduced hydrogen and carbon release cross sections are 7.8 and 65.2 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup -16} cm{sup 2}, respectively. A comparison with our previous measurements of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film irradiated with 3.7 MeV He{sup +} beam is made.

A helium beam at 3.5 MeV was used to induce damage in thin polypropylene film of 5.1 μm in thickness. The fluence ranges from 2 × 10 12 to 3.5 × 10 15 cm −2 . The evolution of the atomic composition (C and H) as a function of the fluence was investigated in situ by forward elastic scattering (C(α, α)C) and hydrogen elastic recoil detection (H(α, H)α), respectively. The helium beam was used at the same time for irradiation and analysis. In respect to the high sensitivity of the polypropylene to radiation damage, the beam current was kept at very low intensity of 0.5 nA. The mass loss becomes significant above a fluence of ∼5 × 10 13 He + cm −2 . The carbon depletion levels off at a fluence of ∼5 × 10 14 He + cm −2 approximately while hydrogen loss continues to be present along the whole of the studied fluence range. The final carbon and hydrogen losses, at the highest fluence, are around 17% and 48% of their initial contents, respectively. Satisfactory fits to the release curves have been obtained in the framework of the bulk molecular recombination model (BMR). The deduced hydrogen and carbon release cross sections are 7.8 and 65.2 × 10 −16 cm 2 , respectively. A comparison with our previous measurements of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film irradiated with 3.7 MeV He + beam is made.

A helium beam at 3.5 MeV was used to induce damage in thin polypropylene film of 5.1 μm in thickness. The fluence ranges from 2 × 1012 to 3.5 × 1015 cm-2. The evolution of the atomic composition (C and H) as a function of the fluence was investigated in situ by forward elastic scattering (C(α, α)C) and hydrogen elastic recoil detection (H(α, H)α), respectively. The helium beam was used at the same time for irradiation and analysis. In respect to the high sensitivity of the polypropylene to radiation damage, the beam current was kept at very low intensity of 0.5 nA. The mass loss becomes significant above a fluence of ˜5 × 1013 He+ cm-2. The carbon depletion levels off at a fluence of ˜5 × 1014 He+ cm-2 approximately while hydrogen loss continues to be present along the whole of the studied fluence range. The final carbon and hydrogen losses, at the highest fluence, are around 17% and 48% of their initial contents, respectively. Satisfactory fits to the release curves have been obtained in the framework of the bulk molecular recombination model (BMR). The deduced hydrogen and carbon release cross sections are 7.8 and 65.2 × 10-16 cm2, respectively. A comparison with our previous measurements of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film irradiated with 3.7 MeV He+ beam is made.

Using high-resolution recoil-ion momentum spectroscopy we have measured the differential cross sections of single-electron capture and target single-ionization processes for 8.7 MeV O 7+ -He collisions as functions of scattering angle. A transverse momentum resolution of ±0.2 au, which corresponds to an angular resolution of about ±1.5x10 -6 rad for the projectile scattering angle, was obtained by intersecting a well collimated O 7+ beam with a target of a supersonic He jet from a pre-cooled gas and by measuring the recoil-ion transverse momentum. For the single capture reaction, information on the n-value of the electron final state in O 6+ (1snl) is obtained from the longitudinal momentum of the recoil ions. In pure single-electron capture, the dominant contributions to capture were found to be those from the n=4 and higher states, whereas single capture accompanied by the ionization of the second target electron mainly populates n=2 to n=4 states. Furthermore, the measured transverse momentum distribution differs significantly between pure single capture and capture with simultaneous ionization. The measured data for the pure capture process compare favourably with theoretical results based on a molecular-state expansion method. Other experimental data are discussed in terms of the classical overbarrier model. (author)

Full text of publication follows: SiC/SiC composites have been considered as a structural material for advanced fusion concepts. In the core of fusion reactor, those SiC/SiC composites are experienced the complex attacks such as strong neutron, high temperature and transmuted gases. One of the vital data for designing the SiC/SiC composites to the fusion reactor is mechanical properties under the severe neutron irradiation. In this work, various SiC/SiC composites were prepared by the different fabrication processes like CVI (chemical vapor infiltration), WA-CVI (SiC whisker assisted CVI) and hot-pressed method. The expected neutron irradiation was simulated by a silicon self-ion irradiation at a DuET facility; Dual-beam for Energy Technologies, Kyoto University. The irradiation temperature were 600 deg. C and 1200 deg. C, and the irradiation does were 5 dpa and 20 dpa, respectively. The 5.1 MeV Si ions were irradiated to the intrinsic CVI-SiC, SiC whisker reinforced SiC and SiC composites produced by hot-press method. The mechanical properties like hardness, elastic modulus and fracture toughness were characterized by an indentation technique. The ion irradiation caused the increase of the hardness and fracture toughness, which was dependent on the irradiation temperature. SiC whisker reinforcement in the SiC matrix accelerated the increase of the fracture toughness by the ion irradiation. For SiC/SiC composites after the ion irradiation, this work will provide the additional data for the mechanical properties as well as the effect of SiC whisker reinforcement. (authors)

With the ALADIN forward spectrometer the fragmentation of gold nuclei at 600 MeV per nucleon after interaction with carbon, aluminum, copper and lead targets has been investigated. The results are compared to quantum-molecular-dynamics calculations using soft and hard equations of state as well as soft equation of state with momentum dependent forces. Whereas the QMD has been successfully applied to heavy ion collisions at lower energies, it is not possible to reproduce the fragment distributions and the light particle multiplicities observed in this experiment at relativistic energies. To study the reasons for the discrepancy between the experimental data and the simulations, we investigated the time evolution of the nuclear system after a collision and the disintegration pattern of excited nuclei in the QMD approach. (orig.). 9 figs

Slow Ar recoil-ion production cross sections by projectiles of 1.05-MeV/amu Ar q+ (q=4,6,8,10,12,14) were measured using a projectile-ion--recoil-ion coincidence technique. The present results indicate that the average recoil ion charges left-angle i right-angle increase with increasing the incident projectile charge q and the number of the lost and captured electrons from and/or into projectiles, whereas the projectile charge-changing cross sections for loss ionization decrease steeply with increasing q for low-charge-state projectiles, and those for transfer ionization increase rapidly with increasing q for high-charge-state projectiles. For Ar projectiles with q=10, which corresponds to the equilibrium charge state of Ar projectiles at the present collision energy, the average recoil-ion charges are nearly the same in both loss and transfer ionization, and a pure ionization process plays a much more important role in producing highly charged recoil ions, in contrast to projectile electron loss or transfer processes, which play a role in other projectile charge states

This thesis deals with analysis of crystal surfaces of Cu, Ag and Fe with Low Energy Ion scattering Spectroscopy (LEIS). Different atomic and molecular ions with fixed energies below 7 keV are scattered by a metal single crystal (with adsorbates). The energy and direction of the scattered particles are analysed for different selected charge states. In that way information can be obtained concerning the composition and atomic and electronic structure of the single crystal surface. Energy spectra contain information on the composition of the surface, while structural atomic information is obtained by direction measurements (photograms). In Ch.1 a description is given of the experimental equipment, in Ch.2 a characterization of the LEIS method. Ch.3 deals with the neutralization of keV-ions in surface scattering. Two different ways of data interpretation are presented. First a model is treated in which the observed directional dependence of neutralization action of the first atom layer of the surface is presented by a laterally varying thickness of the neutralizing layer. Secondly it is shown that the data can be reproduced by a more realistic, physical model based on atomic transition matrix elements. In Ch.4 the low energy hydrogen scattering is described. The study of the dissociation of H 2 + at an Ag surface r0230ted in a model based on electronic dissociation, initialized by electron capture into a repulsive (molecular) state. In Ch.5 finally the method is applied to the investigation of the surface structure of oxidized Fe. (Auth.)

The most commonly used collectors for sulfide minerals in the mining industry are the thiol collectors for the recovery of these minerals from their associated gangues by froth flotation. For this reason, a great deal of attention has been paid to understand the attachment mechanism of thiol collectors to metal sulfide surfaces. The density functional theory (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP/3-21G* and B3LYP/6-31++G** levels were employed to propose the flotation responses of these thiol collectors, namely, diethyl dithiocarbamate, ethyl dithiocarbamate, ethyl dithiocarbonate, ethyl trithiocarbonate and ethyl dithiophosphate ions, and to study the interaction energies of these collectors with Ag (+1) ion in connection to acanthite (Ag 2 S) mineral. The calculated interaction energies, ΔE, were interpreted in terms of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energies of the isolated collector ions. The results show that the HOMOs are strongly localized to the sulfur atoms and the HOMO energies can be used as a reactivity descriptor for the flotation ability of the thiol collectors. Using the HOMO and ΔE energies, the reactivity order of the collectors is found to be (C 2 H 5 ) 2 NCS 2 - > C 2 H 5 NHCS 2 - > C 2 H 5 OCS 2 - > C 2 H 5 SCS 2 - > (C 2 H 5 O)(OH)PS 2 - . The theoretically obtained results are in good agreement with the experimental data reported

The level structure of 104 Ag has been studied through the 103 Rh(α,3nγ) reaction at E α =40 and 45 MeV. The principal features of the proposed level scheme are in agreement with those obtained earlier through heavy ion reaction. A two-quasiparticle-plus-rotor model calculation has been performed, and the results are compared with experimental data. (orig.)

The purpose of this thesis is to provide a 1% measurement of omega, the energy required to produce an ion pair, for 150 MeV protons in various gases. Such a measurement should improve the accuracy of proton ionization chamber dosimetry at the Harvard Cyclotron Laboratory. Currently, no measurements of omega exist in the energy range of 30 to 150 MeV, and present ionization chamber dosimetry at the Cyclotron relies on average values of measurements at lower and higher energies (i.e. for E < 3 MeV and E = 340 MeV). Contrary to theoretical expectations, these low and high energy data differ by as much as 9% in some gases. The results of this investigation demonstrate that the existing high energy data is probably in error, and current proton ionization chamber dosimetry underestimates omega, and hence the proton dose, by 5%

n-channel depletion MOS devices were irradiated with 50 and 80 MeV phosphorous ions, with different fluences varying in the range from 10{sup 11} to 10{sup 13} ions/cm{sup 2}. The pre and post irradiation I-V characteristics were measured and the corresponding threshold shift {delta}V{sub TH} was estimated. In both the cases, the drain current I{sub D} and the threshold voltage V{sub TH} were found to decrease with the ion fluence. The increase in the threshold voltage shift {delta}V{sub TH} with the ion fluence, was greater for the devices irradiated with 80 MeVions than those irradiated with 50 MeVions. The interface and oxide state densities were determined through the subthreshold voltage measurements. To separate the contributions of oxide and interface states towards the threshold voltage shift, the ion irradiated MOS devices were annealed at 150 deg. C. The threshold shift during annealing initially decreased and later increased with increasing annealing period. The rate of change of the interface states during annealing was higher than that of the oxide states. It was also found that depletion mode (normally ON) MOSFETs switched operation to enhancement mode (normally OFF)

Angular distributions of sputtered atoms and the phenomenon of element locally rich relative to micro-topographic feature (ELR-MTF) of sputtered target surface have been investigated for Cu-37 at% Ag alloys by means of RBS, SEM and EPMA measurements. In the paper,emphasis will be put on the correlation between surface topography caused by Ar + ion bombardment with different doses and angular distribution of sputtered atoms ejecting from various micro-zones at topographical surface during sputtering. The experiment result was explained with the so-called ELR-MTF model which can qualitatively interpret the shape of the angular distributions and the variation of the preferential sputtering curves

Highlights: • Upon SHI irradiation the average diameters of PPy nanoparticles increases. • Crystallinity of PPy nanoparticles increases with increasing ion fluence. • IR active vibrational bands have different cross sections for SHI irradiation. • Upon SHI irradiation optical band gap energy of PPy nanoparticles decreases. • Upon SHI irradiation thermal stability of PPy nanoparticles increases. -- Abstract: In this study we report 160 MeV Ni 12+ swift heavy ion irradiation induced enhancement in the structural, optical and electrical properties of spherical polypyrrole (PPy) nanoparticles. High resolution transmission electron microscope results show that the pristine PPy nanoparticles have an average diameter of 11 nm while upon irradiation the average diameter increases to 18 nm at the highest ion fluence of 1 × 10 12 ions/cm 2 . X-ray diffraction studies show an enhancement of crystallinity and average crystallite size of PPy nanoparticles with increasing fluence. Studies of Fourier transform infrared spectra suggest the structural modifications of different functional groups upon irradiation. It also reveals that different functional groups have different sensitivity to irradiation. The infrared active N–H vibrational band at 3695 cm −1 is more sensitive to irradiation with a formation cross-section of 5.77 × 10 −13 cm 2 and effective radius of 4.28 nm. The UV–visible absorption spectra of PPy nanoparticles show that the absorption band undergoes a red shift with increasing fluence. Moreover upon irradiation the optical band gap energy decreases and Urbach’s energy increases with fluence. Thermo-gravimetric analysis studies suggest that upon irradiation the thermal stability of PPy nanoparticles increases which may be attributed to their enhanced crystallinity. Current–voltage characteristics of PPy nanoparticles exhibit non-Ohmic, symmetric behavior which increases with fluence

Specimens of pure aluminium, aluminium-copper and aluminium-silver have been irradiated with 20 keV helium ions and/or 100 keV aluminium ions and the nature of the damage assessed using transmission electron microscopy. Irradiation with 20 keV helium ions to a dose of 2.7 x 10 15 ions cm -2 results in the formation of interstitial loops and helium gas bubbles. The helium bubbles were detectable only after annealing at a high temperature following irradiation. When the helium preinjected aluminium specimens were irradiated with 100 keV Al + ions to a dose of 84 dpa at temperatures above 150 0 C, voids were observed to form. At a lower dose of 64 dpa, only a high density of dislocation loops was observed. Al-1 wt% Cu alloy containing partially coherent theta' precipitates resists void formation to a considerable extent, and Al-10 wt% Ag alloy containing coherent G.P. zones offers complete resistance to both dislocation loop nucleation and void formation. The experimental results are discussed in the light of the current theories of irradiation induced damage in metals. The importance of the dislocation-sink efficiency for point defects, the gaseous impurity and the alloying elements in determining void formation is highlighted. (author)

Highlights: • Implanted TiO{sub 2} films with excellent antibacterial and photocatalytic ability was prepared. • Bactericidal effect of released Agions was confirmed using VC as radical scavenger. • Excitation of TiO{sub 2} to visible region is attributed to subtitutional Ag. • Synergetic effect of Ag{sup 3+} and Ag{sup +} accounts for the enhanced ability of TiO{sub 2}. - Abstract: TiO{sub 2} thin films were deposited by spin coating method. Silver ions were implanted into the films using a Metal Vapor Vacuum Arc implanter. The antibacterial ability of implanted films was tested using Escherichia coli removal under fluorescent irradiation and in the dark. The concentration of E. coli was evaluated by plating technique. The photocatalytic efficiency of the implanted films was studied by degradation of methyl orange under fluorescent illumination. The surface free energy of the implanted TiO{sub 2} films was calculated by contact angle testing. Vitamin C was used as radical scavengers to explore the antibacterial mechanism of the films. The results supported the model that both generation of reactive oxygen species and release of silver ions played critical roles in the toxic effect of implanted films against E. coli. XPS experimental results demonstrated that a portion of the Ag(Ag{sup 3+}) ions were doped into the crystalline lattice of TiO{sub 2}. As demonstrated by density functional theory calculations, the impurity energy level of subtitutional Ag was responsible for enhanced absorption of visible light. Agion-implanted TiO{sub 2} films with excellent antibacterial efficiency against bacteria and decomposed ability against organic pollutants could be potent bactericidal surface in moist environment.

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is one of the representative ceramic materials containing photocatalyst, optic and antibacterial activity. The hydroxyl radical in TiO2 applies to the intensive oxidizing agent, hence TiO2 is suitable to use photocatalytic materials. Black TiO2was prepared through reduction of amorphous TiO2 conducting under H2 which leads to color changes. Its black color is proven that absorbs 100% light across the whole-visible light, drawing enhancement of photocatalytic property. In this study, we aimed to compare the photocatalytic activity of silver ion doped on TiO2(TiO2/Ag+) and silver ion doped on black TiO2(black TiO2/Ag+) under visible light range. TiO2/Ag+ was fabricated following steps. 1) TiO2 was synthesized by a sol-gel method from Titanium tetraisopropoxide (TTIP). 2) Then AgNO3 was added during an aging process step for silver ion doping on the surface of TiO2. Moreover, Black TiO2/Ag+ was obtained same as TiO2/Ag+ except for calcination under H2. The samples were characterized X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-visible reflectance (UV-vis DRS), and Methylene Blue degradation test. XRD analysis confirmed morphology of TiO2. The band gap of black TiO2/Ag+ was confirmed (2.6 eV) through UV-vis DRS, which was lower than TiO2/Ag+ (2.9 eV). The photocatalytic effect was conducted by methylene blue degradation test. It demonstrated that black TiO2/Ag+ had a photocatalytic effect under UV light also visible light.

The evolution of the morphology of ion sputtered Ag(1 1 0) has been studied by X-ray technique at the European Synchrotron Radiation in Grenoble and by scanning tunneling microscope. The surface was bombarded with Ar sup + ions at an energy of 1 keV, changing the temperature in the range 100-320 K. The erosion is never layer by layer in the explored temperature range. On the contrary, regular structures (ripples) can be created on the surface, and their orientation rotates by 90 deg. by changing temperature. Also the slope of the mounds/ripples changes with temperature, ranging between 6 deg. and 12 deg. if measured along and between 8 deg. and 10 deg. along .

We report on the dielectric properties and a.c. conductivity studies of CSA doped polyaniline nanotubes. Nanotubes of 47-100 nm diameter, were synthesized by the self-assembly method and irradiated using Ni{sup 12+} ions of 160 MeV energy with fluences of 1 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 10}, 5 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 10}, 1 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 11} and 3 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 11} ions/cm{sup 2}. X-ray diffraction studies reveal an increase in the degree of crystallinity and consequently, the extent of order of the nanotubes with increasing fluence, but show a lower degree of crystallinity at higher fluence. The decrease in d-spacing for the (100) reflections with fluence is ascribed to the decrease in the tilt angle of the aligned polymer chains. A significant change was seen after irradiation in dielectric and electrical properties which may be correlated with the increased carrier concentration and structural modifications in the polymer films. The surface conductivity of films increases with increasing fluence, which also decreases at higher fluence. The a.c. conduction mechanism for the nanotubes could be explained in terms of correlated barrier hopping model. The existence of polarons as the major charge carriers in the present nanotube system was confirmed by the low values of polaron binding energy, found to decrease with fluence. The hopping distance increases with fluence indicating that the hopping probability increases with fluence.

The effects of MeV heavy ion irradiation at varying fluence and flux on excess Si, introduced in SiO{sub 2} by keV ion implantation, are investigated by photoluminescence (PL). From the PL peak wavelength (λ) and decay lifetime (τ), two PL sources are distinguished: (i) quasi-direct recombination of excitons of Si-nanoparticles (SiNPs), appearing after thermal annealing (λ > 720 nm, τ ∝ μs), and (ii) fast-decay PL, possibly due to oxide-related defects (λ ∝ 575-690 nm, τ ∝ ns). The fast-decay PL (ii) observed before and after ion irradiation is induced by ion implantation. It is found that this fast-decay luminescence decreases for higher irradiation fluence of MeV heavy ions. After thermal annealing (forming SiNPs), the SiNP PL is reduced for samples irradiated by MeV heavy ions but found to stabilize at higher level for higher irradiation flux; the (ii) band vanishes as a result of annealing. The results are discussed in terms of the influence of electronic and nuclear stopping powers. (copyright 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

A completely green synthesis protocol has been adopted to obtain silver nanoaggregates capped by the natural compound (1E, 6E)-1,7-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-diene), also known as curcumin. The synthesis has been monitored by infrared, Raman, visible and fluorescence spectroscopies. Characterization confirms that curcumin reduces and caps the nanoparticles, and such a procedure allows its solubility in water and drastically increases curcumin stability. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs)/curcumin complex has been dispersed in a water solution containing a known nickel ion concentration. After three days, a grey precipitate is observed and nickel concentration in the solution is reduced by about 70%.A completely green synthesis protocol has been adopted to obtain silver nanoaggregates capped by the natural compound (1E, 6E)-1,7-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-diene), also known as curcumin. The synthesis has been monitored by infrared, Raman, visible and fluorescence spectroscopies. Characterization confirms that curcumin reduces and caps the nanoparticles, and such a procedure allows its solubility in water and drastically increases curcumin stability. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs)/curcumin complex has been dispersed in a water solution containing a known nickel ion concentration. After three days, a grey precipitate is observed and nickel concentration in the solution is reduced by about 70%. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c4nr02583k

The damage accumulation process in MgO single crystals under medium-energy heavy ion irradiation (1.2 MeV Au) at fluences up to 4 × 10{sup 14} cm{sup −2} has been studied at three different temperatures: 573, 773, and 1073 K. Disorder depth profiles have been determined through the use of the Rutherford backscattering spectrometry in channeling configuration (RBS/C). The analysis of the RBS/C data reveals two steps in the MgO damage process, irrespective of the temperature. However, we find that for increasing irradiation temperature, the damage level decreases and the fluence at which the second step takes place increases. A shift of the damage peak at increasing fluence is observed for the three temperatures, although the position of the peak depends on the temperature. These results can be explained by an enhanced defect mobility which facilitates defect migration and may favor defect annealing. X-ray diffraction reciprocal space maps confirm the results obtained with the RBS/C technique. - Highlights: • High-temperature MeV-ion irradiated MgO exhibits a two-step damage process. • The occurrence of the second step is delayed with increasing temperature. • The damage level decreases with increasing temperature. • A shift of the damage peak is observed with increasing fluence. • A high defect mobility at high temperatures in MgO is clearly evidenced.

Implant-associated bacterial infection can jeopardize the clinical success of implants and result in loss of supporting bone. The purpose of this study was to develop a novel porous scaffold with long-term antibacterial activity for bone repair or regeneration. Porous nano-hydroxyapatite/titania/polyamide66 scaffolds containing different amounts of silver ions (Ag-nHA/TiO{sub 2}/PA66) were prepared by a phase inversion technique. The release of silver ions from the porous scaffolds in simulated body fluid (SBF) and in the F12 cell culture medium was evaluated via atomic absorption spectrometry. The results showed that the release of Ag{sup +} was time and concentration dependent, increasing with the immersion time and the silver content in the scaffolds. On the other hand, the release property of Ag{sup +} was also influenced by the immersion medium. The cumulative Ag{sup +} release in the F12 medium with time increase parabolically, different from the linear increase or the zero-order release kinetics in the SBF medium. Compared to the slight fluctuation of the Ag{sup +} release rate in SBF during the whole immersion period, the initial fast release rate and the later sustained release rate of Ag{sup +} in the F12 medium could be more helpful for preventing implant-associated infection. Since the Ag-nHA/TiO{sub 2} particles were embedded in the PA66 matrix, the long-term-sustained release should be related both to the relaxation of PA macromolecular chains due to the penetration of water and to the slow release of the substituted Ag{sup +} ions in the HA lattice. The sustained Ag{sup +} release with time indicates that the composite scaffold is suitable for a long-term antimicrobial application during the scaffold-assisted bone repair or regeneration.

This work focuses on the study of the emission statistics of secondary electrons from thin carbon foils bombarded with H 0 , H 2 + and H 3 + projectiles in the 0.25-2.2 MeV energy range. The phenomenon of secondary electron emission from solids under the impact of swift ions is mainly due to inelastic interactions with target electrons. The phenomenological and theoretical descriptions, as well as a summary of the main theoretical models are the subject of the first chapter. The experimental set-up used to measure event by event the electron emission of the two faces of a thin carbon foil traversed by an energetic projectile is described in the chapter two. In this chapter are also presented the method and algorithms used to process experimental spectra in order to obtain the statistical distribution of the emitted electrons. Chapter three presents the measurements of secondary electron emission induced by H atoms passing through thin carbon foils. The secondary electron yields are studied in correlation with the emergent projectile charge state. We show the peculiar role of the projectile electron, whether it remains or not bound to the incident proton. The fourth chapter is dedicated to the secondary electron emission induced by H 2 + and H 3 + polyatomic ions. The results are interpreted in terms of collective effects in the interactions of these ions with solids. The role of the proximity of the protons, molecular ion fragments, upon the amplitude of these collective effects is evidenced from the study of the statistics of forward emission. These experiences allowed us to shed light on various aspects of atom and polyatomic ion inter-actions with solid surfaces. (author)

Highlights: •Recently completed nanobeam at the Surrey Ion Beam Centre was used. •3.8-MeV single and broad proton beams irradiated Chinese hamster cells. •Cell survival curves were measured and compared with 300-kV X-ray irradiation. •Single ion irradiation had a lower survival part at ultra-low dose. •It implies hypersensitivity, bystander effect and cell cycle phase of cell death. -- Abstract: As a part of a systematic study on mechanisms involved in physical cancer therapies, this work investigated response of mammalian cells to ultra-low-dose ion beam irradiation. The ion beam irradiation was performed using the recently completed nanobeam facility at the Surrey Ion Beam Centre. A scanning focused vertical ion nano-beam was applied to irradiate Chinese hamster V79 cells. The V79 cells were irradiated in two different beam modes, namely, focused single ion beam and defocused scanning broad ion beam of 3.8-MeV protons. The single ion beam was capable of irradiating a single cell with a precisely controlled number of the ions to extremely low doses. After irradiation and cell incubation, the number of surviving colonies as a function of the number of the irradiating ions was measured for the cell survival fraction curve. A lower survival for the single ion beam irradiation than that of the broad beam case implied the hypersensitivity and bystander effect. The ion-beam-induced cell survival curves were compared with that from 300-kV X-ray irradiation. Theoretical studies indicated that the cell death in single ion irradiation mainly occurred in the cell cycle phases of cell division and intervals between the cell division and the DNA replication. The success in the experiment demonstrated the Surrey vertical nanobeam successfully completed.

We study the abnormal ferromagnetism in α-K2AgF4, which is very similar to high-TC parent material La2CuO4 in structure. We find out that the electron correlation is very important in determining the insulating property of α-K2AgF4. The Ag(II) 4d9 in the octahedron crystal field has the t2 g 6 eg 3 electron occupation with eg x2-y2 orbital fully occupied and 3z2-r2 orbital partially occupied. The two eg orbitals are very extended indicating both of them are active in superexchange. Using the Hubbard model combined with Nth-order muffin-tin orbital (NMTO) downfolding technique, it is concluded that the exchange interaction between eg 3z2-r2 and x2-y2 from the first nearest neighbor Agions leads to the anomalous ferromagnetism in α-K2AgF4.

Full Text Available We study the abnormal ferromagnetism in α-K2AgF4, which is very similar to high-TC parent material La2CuO4 in structure. We find out that the electron correlation is very important in determining the insulating property of α-K2AgF4. The Ag(II 4d9 in the octahedron crystal field has the t 2 g 6 e g 3 electron occupation with eg x2-y2 orbital fully occupied and 3z2-r2 orbital partially occupied. The two eg orbitals are very extended indicating both of them are active in superexchange. Using the Hubbard model combined with Nth-order muffin-tin orbital (NMTO downfolding technique, it is concluded that the exchange interaction between eg 3z2-r2 and x2-y2 from the first nearest neighbor Agions leads to the anomalous ferromagnetism in α-K2AgF4.

The simplest form of angle-resolved mapping for single-crystal materials is the creation of a channeling angular scan. Several laboratories have expanded this simple procedure to include mapping as a function of two independent tilts. These angle-resolved images are particularly suited to the assessment of crystal parameters including disorder, lattice location of impurities, and lattice stress. This paper will describe the use of the Charles Evans and Associates RBS-400 scattering chamber for acquisition, display, and analysis of angle-resolved images obtained from backscattered helium ions. Typical data acquisition times are 20 min for a {+-}2deg X-Y tilt scan with 2500 pixels (8/100deg resolution), and 10 nC per pixel. In addition, we will present a method for automatically aligning crystals for channeling measurements based on this imaging technology. (orig.).

We present measurements of energy loss and straggling of Si ions in gases. An energy range from 0.5 to 12 MeV/u was covered using the 6 MV EN tandem accelerator at ETH Zurich, Switzerland, and the K130 cyclotron accelerator facility at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland. Our energy-loss data compare well with calculation based on the SRIM and PASS code. The new straggling measurements support a pronounced peak in He gas at around 4 MeV/u predicted by recent theoretical calculations. The straggling curve structure in the other gases (N{sub 2}, Ne, Ar, Kr) is relatively flat in the covered energy range. Although there is a general agreement between the straggling data and the theoretical calculations, the experimental uncertainties are too large to confirm or exclude the predicted weak multi-peak structure in the energy-loss straggling.

The simplest form of angle-resolved mapping for single-crystal materials is the creation of a channeling angular scan. Several laboratories have expanded this simple procedure to include mapping as a function of two independent tilts. These angle-resolved images are particularly suited to the assessment of crystal parameters including disorder, lattice location of impurities, and lattice stress. This paper will describe the use of the Charles Evans and Associates RBS-400 scattering chamber for acquisition, display, and analysis of angle-resolved images obtained from backscattered helium ions. Typical data acquisition times are 20 min for a ±2deg X-Y tilt scan with 2500 pixels (8/100deg resolution), and 10 nC per pixel. In addition, we will present a method for automatically aligning crystals for channeling measurements based on this imaging technology. (orig.)

The University of North Texas (UNT) Ion Beam Modification and Analysis Laboratory (IBMAL) has four particle accelerators including a National Electrostatics Corporation (NEC) 9SDH-2 3 MV tandem Pelletron, a NEC 9SH 3 MV single-ended Pelletron, and a 200 kV Cockcroft-Walton. A fourth HVEC AK 2.5 MV Van de Graaff accelerator is presently being refurbished as an educational training facility. These accelerators can produce and accelerate almost any ion in the periodic table at energies from a few keV to tens of MeV. They are used to modify materials by ion implantation and to analyze materials by numerous atomic and nuclear physics techniques. The NEC 9SH accelerator was recently installed in the IBMAL and subsequently upgraded with the addition of a capacitive-liner and terminal potential stabilization system to reduce ion energy spread and therefore improve spatial resolution of the probing ion beam to hundreds of nanometers. Research involves materials modification and synthesis by ion implantation for photonic, electronic, and magnetic applications, micro-fabrication by high energy (MeV) ion beam lithography, microanalysis of biomedical and semiconductor materials, development of highenergy ion nanoprobe focusing systems, and educational and outreach activities. An overview of the IBMAL facilities and some of the current research projects are discussed.

The most commonly used collectors for sulfide minerals in the mining industry are the thiol collectors for the recovery of these minerals from their associated gangues by froth flotation. For this reason, a great deal of attention has been paid to understand the attachment mechanism of thiol collectors to metal sulfide surfaces. The density functional theory (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP/3-21G* and B3LYP/6-31++G** levels were employed to propose the flotation responses of these thiol collectors, namely, diethyl dithiocarbamate, ethyl dithiocarbamate, ethyl dithiocarbonate, ethyl trithiocarbonate and ethyl dithiophosphate ions, and to study the interaction energies of these collectors with Ag (+1) ion in connection to acanthite (Ag{sub 2}S) mineral. The calculated interaction energies, {delta}E, were interpreted in terms of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energies of the isolated collector ions. The results show that the HOMOs are strongly localized to the sulfur atoms and the HOMO energies can be used as a reactivity descriptor for the flotation ability of the thiol collectors. Using the HOMO and {delta}E energies, the reactivity order of the collectors is found to be (C{sub 2}H{sub 5}){sub 2}NCS{sub 2}{sup -} > C{sub 2}H{sub 5}NHCS{sub 2}{sup -} > C{sub 2}H{sub 5}OCS{sub 2}{sup -} > C{sub 2}H{sub 5}SCS{sub 2}{sup -} > (C{sub 2}H{sub 5}O)(OH)PS{sub 2}{sup -}. The theoretically obtained results are in good agreement with the experimental data reported.

2D networks of Si and Ag nanocrystals have been fabricated in the same SiO2 matrix by Ultra-Low-Energy Ion-Beam-Synthesis. Our synthesis scheme differs from a simple sequential ion implantation and its key point is the control of the matrix integrity through an appropriate intermediate thermal annealing. Si nanocrystal layer is synthesised first due to high thermal budget required for nucleation, while the second Ag nanocrystal plane is formed during a subsequent implantation due to the high diffusivity of Ag in silica. The aim of this work is to show how it is possible to overcome the limitation related to ion mixing and implantation damage to obtain double layers of Si-NCs and Ag-NCs with controlled characteristics. For this, we take advantage of annealing under slight oxidizing ambient to control the oxidation of Si-NCs and the Si excess in the matrix. The nanocrystal characteristics and in particular their position and size can be adjusted thanks to a compromise between the implantation energy, the implanted dose for both Si and Agions and the intermediate annealing conditions (atmosphere, temperature and duration).

Silver with a high theoretical capacity for lithium storage is an attractive alloy based anode for Li-ion batteries, but large volume changes associated with AgLi x alloy formation leads to electrode cracking, pulverization and rapid capacity fading. A buffer matrix, like the electrospun hollow carbon nanofibers, can reduce this problem to a great extent. Herein, we demonstrate the facile synthesis of a free-standing, binder free Ag-C hybrid electrode through co-axial electrospinning, where well dispersed Ag nanoparticles are embedded in hollow carbon nanofibers. Using this approach, the long cycle life of carbon is complemented with the high lithium storage capacity of Ag, resulting in a high performance anode. The Ag-C composite electrode delivers a capacity of 739 mAh g −1 (>conventional graphite anodes) at 50 mA g −1 , with ∼85% capacity retention after 100 cycles. In addition, the Ag-C composite nanofibers are highly porous and exhibit a large accessible surface area (∼726.9 m 2 g −1 ) with an average pore diameter of ∼6.07 nm. The encapsulation of Ag in the hollow interiors not only provides additional lithium storage sites but also enhances the electronic conductivity, which combined with the reduced lithium diffusion path lengths in the nanofibers result in faster charge-discharge kinetics and hence a high rate performance

Creation of color centers in LiF under irradiation with 3-12-MeV Au ions was studied. Comparison of experimental data of color center creation with computer simulation of the energy deposition and elastic atomic displacements reveals the role of elastic collisions in defect creation by these ions, which have comparable magnitudes of electronic and elastic stopping. The experimentally measured efficiency of color center creation and that predicted by the simulation of elastic displacements have a similar dependence on the projectile energy. Thus, the color center creation is mainly associated with the elastic collisions, despite the relatively large values of the electronic stopping power for these ions. (orig.)

The basic concepts of a computer simulation code for determining the energy loss of ions in the 10 keV to 10 MeV energy range in amorphous silicon materials were presented and discussed. Data obtained were found in good agreement with those obtained by using a SRIM programme. Electronic and nuclear energy losses were evaluated. Variation of the energy loss as a function of the incident ion energy were studied. This new computer code is a good tool for evaluating stopping powers of various materials for light and heavy ions

We report the improvement in crystallinity of epitaxially grown Ag films on Si(100) substrates with ion irradiation. The irradiation of 0.5 MeV Si ions to 2x10{sup 16}/cm{sup 2} at 200degC, for example, reduces the channeling minimum yield from 60% to 6% at Ag surface. The improvement originates from the decrease of mosaic spread in the Ag thin film. In our experiments, ion energy, ion species and irradiation temperature have been varied. The better crystallinity is obtained as the higher concentration of defect is generated. The mechanism involved in the irradiation induced improvement is discussed. (author)

The surface modification of the polyimide (PI/Kapton) films was carried out by 3 MeV Si + implantation to fluences ranging from 1x10 12 to 1.25x10 15 ions/cm 2 . Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Raman and ultraviolet/visible (UV/Vis) spectroscopes were employed to investigate the chemical degradation of function groups in the irradiated layer. FTIR results show that the absorbance of typical function group decreases exponentially as a function of fluence. The damage cross-section of typical bonds of PI was evaluated from the FTIR spectra. Raman analysis shows the absorbed dose for destruction of all function groups is above 218 MGy. The red shifting of the absorption edge from UV to visible reveals the band gap closing which results from increase of the cluster size. The production efficiency of the chromophores was discussed according to UV/Vis analysis. Irradiation dramatically enhances the electrical conductivity and the sheet resistivity in our experiment descends nearly 10 orders of magnitude compared with its intrinsic value

The ordered intermetallic compound Zr 3 Al was irradiated with 3. 8 MeV Zr 3+ ions at various fluences up to 5 x 10 12 tons/mm 2 at a temperature of 250 degrees C and the irradiation- induced microstructures were investigated by transmission electron microscopy. Disordering began at the lowest dose, 0.0033 dpa, and complete loss of chemical long-range order occurred at a dose of 0.33 dpa. The onset of amorphization was also observed at this dose. Electron diffraction patterns from irradiated samples showed satellite reflections along in thin foils in [100] orientation and streaking along in foils oriented [011]. These diffraction effects are attributed to the presence of irradiation-induced microstructural defects that, when imaged in dark field, resemble rows of dislocation loops. A model of these arrays of loops, which are suggested to have Burgers vectors of the Frank type, is proposed. The model accounts for the contrast effects observed in the images and the streaking and satellites seen in the diffraction patterns. At the highest dose, 1.6 dpa, a new phase, Zr 5 Al 3 , appeared unexpectedly, most likely as a consequence of irradiation-induced solute segregation

A stepwise experimental and mathematical modeling approach was used to assess silver release from nanocomposite Ag/alginate microbeads in wet and dried forms into water and into normal saline solution chosen as a simplified model for certain biological fluids (e.g., blood plasma, wound exudates, sweat, etc). Three phenomena were connected and mathematically described: diffusion of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) within the alginate hydrogel, AgNP oxidation/dissolution and reaction with chloride ions, and diffusion of the resultant silver-chloride species. Mathematical modeling results agreed well with the experimental data with the AgNP diffusion coefficient estimated as 1.3 × 10{sup −18} m{sup 2} s{sup −1}, while the first-order kinetic rate constant of AgNP oxidation/dissolution and diffusivity of silver-chloride species were shown to be inversely related. In specific, rapid rehydration and swelling of dry Ag/alginate microbeads induced fast AgNP oxidation/dissolution reaction with Cl{sup −} and AgCl precipitation within the microbeads with the lowest diffusivity of silver-chloride species compared to wet microbeads in normal saline. The proposed mathematical model provided an insight into the phenomena related to silver release from nanocomposite Ca-alginate hydrogels relevant for use of antimicrobial devices and established, at the same time, a basis for further in-depth studies of AgNP interactions in hydrogels in the presence of chloride ions.

During the past year, the Pittsburgh group has continued to work with the E814 collaboration in carrying out AGS Experiment 814. We present here a brief history of the experiment, followed by a detailed report of the analysis work being pursued at the University of Pittsburgh. As originally proposed, Experiment 814 is a study of both extreme peripheral collisions and the transition from peripheral to central collisions in relativistic heavy ion-nucleus interactions. We are studying relativistic heavy ion interactions with nuclei in two types of collisions: (a) extreme peripheral collisions of large impact parameter, and (b) central collisions with high transverse energy in the final state. The experiment emphasizes the measurement of overall event characteristics, in particular energy flow measurements and a precise measurement of the particle charge, momentum, and energy in the forward direction. This permits measurements of cross sections and rapidity densities as a function of the transverse energy for leading baryons emitted into regions of larger rapidity. Combining the energy flow measurements as a function of rapidity with the spectra of leading baryons provides information on the impact parameter dependence of the nuclear stopping of the projectile in relativistic heavy ion collisions. In 1988, the scope of Experiment 814 was enlarged to include a search for strange matter in central collisions, the first results of which have been published, and analysis on a longer run taken in 1990 is still under way

Coherently, embedded metal nanostructures (endotaxial) are known to have potential applications concerning the areas of plasmonics, optoelectronics and thermoelectronics. Incorporating appropriate concentrations of metal atoms into crystalline silicon is critical for these applications. Therefore, choosing proper dose of low-energy ions, instead of depositing thin film as a source of metal atoms, helps in avoiding surplus concentration of metal atoms that diffuses into the silicon crystal. In this work, 30 keV silver negative ions are implanted into a SiO x /Si(100) at two different fluences: 1 × 1015 and 2.5 × 1015 Ag- ions/cm2. Later, the samples are annealed at 700 °C for 1 h in Ar atmosphere. Embedded silver nanostructures have been characterized using planar and cross-sectional TEM (XTEM) analysis. Planar TEM analysis shows the formation of mostly rectangular silver nanostructures following the fourfold symmetry of the substrate. XTEM analysis confirms the formation of prism-shaped silver nanostructures embedded inside crystalline silicon. Endotaxial nature of the embedded crystals has been discussed using selected area electron diffraction analysis.

Since the start of ultra-relativistic heavy ion experimentation, some10 years ago at the Brookhaven AGS and the CERN SPS, it has rarely been as gratifying to open a conference in this field as it is in Jaipur for this 3rd International Conference on Physics and Astrophysics of the Quark-Gluon-Plasma. The advent of a new generation of detectors, and most important, the availability of really heavy ion beams, has lead in the last three years to exciting new results which are of relevance to the most crucial questions this field has been addressing since 1986: do we see in ultra-relativistic heavy ion collisions signs for deconfinement, signs for chiral symmetry restoration, signs for equilibrated hadronic matter? The tantalizing answer today to each of these questions seems to be: yes! If the quest for the QGP is today in its most exciting and productive phase ever, the city of Jaipur is likewise a most pleasant and appropriate place to discuss the most recent progress. India has become a strong andrecognized p...

We investigate the generation and propagation of intense pulsed ion beams at the 6 MeV level and above using the Hermes III facility at Sandia National Laboratories. While high-power ion beams have previously been produced using Hermes III, we have conducted systematic studies of several ion diode geometries for the purpose of maximizing focused ion energy for a number of applications. A self-field axial-gap diode of the pinch reflex type and operated in positive polarity yielded beam power below predicted levels. This is ascribed both to power flow losses of unknown origin upstream of the diode load in Hermes positive polarity operation, and to anomalies in beam focusing in this configuration. A change to a radial self-field geometry and negative polarity operation resulted in greatly increased beam voltage (> 6 MeV) and estimated ion current. A comprehensive diagnostic set was developed to characterize beam performance, including both time-dependent and time-integrated measurements of local and total beam power. A substantial high-energy ion population was identified propagating in reverse direction, i.e. from the back side of the anode in the electron beam dump. While significant progress was made in increasing beam power, further improvements in assessing the beam focusing envelope will be required before ultimate ion generation efficiency with this geometry can be completely determined.

The calorimetric deuterium-film method was used for measurements of the energy reflection coefficient γ for normal incidence of 5-10 keV He ions on Cu, Ag and Au. A theoretical calculation of γ by means of transport theory gives fair agreement with the experimental results. The experimental data...... the experimental and theoretical results for the He ions are in acceptable agreement with other experimental and theoretical results. For He ions, the experimental γ-values are 20-30% above the values for hydrogen ions for the same value of ε...

The ionic conductivity and the conductivity spectra of the glass compositions xAgI-(1-x)[yAg2O-(1-y)(0.5SeO2-0.5TeO2)] have been studied at different temperatures The activation energy for the dc conduction has been analyzed using the Anderson-Stuart model, and a correlation between the dc conductivity and the doorway radius has been obtained. We have analyzed the conductivity spectra using the random free-energy barrier model, taking into account the contribution of electrode polarization. It is observed that the Barton-Nakajima-Namikawa relation between the conductivity and the relaxation time is valid for these glasses. The time-temperature superposition principle has been verified using the scaling of the conductivity spectra in the framework of the random barrier model. The charge carrier density, obtained from the Nernst-Einstein relation, is found to be almost independent of temperature, but dependent weakly on composition. We have also studied the influence of the modification of the network structure of these glasses on ion migration and correlated the conductivity with the relative strength of the structural units.

The formation of a new phase of composition Mg 54 Al 28 Ag 18 was observed as a result of plasma immersion ion implantation of Ag into the compound Mg 17 Al 12 . The new structure was characterized using a micro-beam diffraction technique. It was found that the implantation-induced phase transition occurs when the retained dose of the implanted ions is within the range of about 10 15 -10 16 ions/cm 2 . The implanted system has been studied theoretically by means of density-functional electronic structure calculations and a new ab initio approach has been developed to evaluate the specific concentrations of the implanted ions that might cause the phase transition effect in the implanted matrix. The theoretically estimated values of concentrations are in good agreement with experimental observations

In an attempt to increase the Li + -ion diffusivity, poly(vinylidenefluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene)-(propylene carbonate+diethyl carbonate)-lithium perchlorate gel polymer electrolyte system has been irradiated with 70-MeV C 5+ -ion beam of nine different fluences. Swift heavy-ion irradiation shows enhancement in ionic conductivity at lower fluences and decrease in ionic conductivity at higher fluences with respect to unirradiated gel polymer electrolyte films. Maximum room-temperature (303 K) ionic conductivity is found to be 2x10 -2 S/cm after irradiation with a fluence of 10 11 ions/cm 2 . This interesting result could be attributed to the fact that for a particular ion beam with a given energy, a higher fluence provides critical activation energy for cross linking and crystallization to occur, which results in the decrease in ionic conductivity. X-ray-diffraction results show decrease in the degree of crystallinity upon ion irradiation at low fluences (≤10 11 ions/cm 2 ) and increase in crystallinity at higher fluences (>10 11 ions/cm 2 ). Analysis of Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy results suggests the bond breaking at a fluence of 5x10 9 ions/cm 2 and cross linking at a fluence of 10 12 ions/cm 2 and corroborate conductivity and x-ray-diffraction results. Scanning electron micrographs exhibit increased porosity of the polymer electrolyte after ion irradiation

A Gold ion with charge eQ has N = 197 Nucleons, Z = 79 Protons, and (Z-Q) electrons. (Here Q is an integer and e is the charge of a single proton.) The mass is m = au - Qm{sub e} + E{sub b}/c{sup 2} (1) where a = 196.966552 is the relative atomic mass [1, 2] of the neutral Gold atom, u = 931.494013 MeV/c{sup 2} is the unified atomic mass unit [3], and m{sub e}c{sup 2} = .510998902 MeV is the electron mass [3]. E{sub b} is the binding energy of the Q electrons removed from the neutral Gold atom. This amounts to 0.332 MeV for the helium-like gold ion (Q = 77) and 0.517 MeV for the fully stripped ion. For the Au{sup 31+} ion we have E{sub b} = 13.5 keV. These numbers are given in Ref. [4]. The deuteron mass [3] is 1875.612762(75) MeV/c{sup 2}.

A Gold ion with charge eQ has N = 197 Nucleons, Z = 79 Protons, and (Z-Q) electrons. (Here Q is an integer and e is the charge of a single proton.) The mass is m = au - Qm{sub e} + E{sub b}/c{sup 2} (1) where a = 196.966552 is the relative atomic mass [1, 2] of the neutral Gold atom, u = 931.494013 MeV/c{sup 2} is the unified atomic mass unit [3], and m{sub e}c{sup 2} = .510998902 MeV is the electron mass [3]. E{sub b} is the binding energy of the Q electrons removed from the neutral Gold atom. This amounts to 0.332 MeV for the helium-like gold ion (Q = 77) and 0.517 MeV for the fully stripped ion. For the Au{sup 31+} ion we have E{sub b} = 13.5 keV. These numbers are given in Ref. [4].

A modified thermal spike model initially proposed to account for defect formation in metals within the high heavy ion energy regime is adapted for describing the sputtering of Bi thin films under MeV Kr ions. Surface temperature profiles for both the electronic and atomic subsystems have been carefully evaluated versus the radial distance and time with introducing appropriate values of the Bi target electronic stopping power for multi-charged Kr{sup 15+} heavy ions as well as different target physical proprieties like specific heats and thermal conductivities. Then, the total sputtering yields of the irradiated Bi thin films have been determined from a spatiotemporal integration of the local atomic evaporation rate. Besides, an expected non negligible contribution of elastic nuclear collisions to the Bi target sputtering yields and ion-induced surface effects has also been considered in our calculation. Finally, the latter thermal spike model allowed us to derive numerical sputtering yields in satisfactorily agreement with existing experimental data both over the low and high heavy ion energy regions, respectively, dominated by elastic nuclear collisions and inelastic electronic collisions, in particular with our data taken recently for Bi thin films irradiated by 27.5 MeV Kr{sup 15+} heavy ions. An overall consistency of our model calculation with the predictions of sputtering yield theoretical models within the target nuclear stopping power regime was also pointed out.

Laser-accelerated ion beams can be used in many applications and, especially, to initiate nuclear reactions out of thermal equilibrium. We have experimentally studied aneutronic fusion reactions induced by protons accelerated by the Target Normal Sheath Acceleration mechanism, colliding with a boron target. Such experiments require a rigorous method to identify the reaction products (alpha particles) collected in detectors among a few other ion species such as protons or carbon ions, for example. CR-39 track detectors are widely used because they are mostly sensitive to ions and their efficiency is near 100%. We present a complete calibration of CR-39 track detector for protons, alpha particles, and carbon ions. We give measurements of their track diameters for energy ranging from hundreds of keV to a few MeV and for etching times between 1 and 8 h. We used these results to identify alpha particles in our experiments on proton-boron fusion reactions initiated by laser-accelerated protons. We show that their number clearly increases when the boron fuel is preformed in a plasma state.

Full Text Available UTILIZATION OF CHAR COAL ACTIVATED CARBON (CCAB FOR HEAVY IONS (Cu2+ AND Ag+ REDUCTION FROM INDUSTRIAL WASTE WATER. Industrial wastewater may contain heavy metals such as Cu and Ag those are harmful to the environment if discharged without pretreatment. One of the methods to reduce heavy metals in wastewater is adsorption, to separate certain components from liquid to the surface of solids. Adsorption is a simple method, but most of the adsorbents are expensive, therefore a cheaper adsorbent is required to reduce the cost of the adsorption process. This work utilized bottom ash as an adsorbent. Bottom ash is a waste of combustion products in the coal industry, which contain potentially harmful materials. Activation of bottom ash was made by soaking in peroxide and continuing by heating at a temperature of 500oC. This study was aimed to determine the influence of process parameters (concentration, pH and processing time to the percentage of amount heavy metals adsorbed, to study the equation isotherm adsorption using Langmuir and Freundlich models, and to calculate the kinetic constants of adsorption based on pseudo -first- order and pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The experiment was conducted in the batch system, where 10 grams bottom ash was mixed with 400 ml of synthetic waste. AAS was used to determine the heavy metals content in the waste solution. The results showed that bottom ash can be used to reduce heavy metals of Cu2+ and Ag+, the optimum condition when the concentration of 25 ppm under acidic conditions, bottom ash was able to adsorb Cu2+ metals ion by 62.79-80.25% at pH 4, and 65.54-85.98% at neutral pH with the same adsorption time of 300 min. For the ion metals Ag+, at acidic solution the metals ion can be adsorbed by 56.51-82.21%, while at neutral pH conditions 59.92-87.55%. Adsorption of bottom ash follows the model of Freundlich isotherm adsorption at acidic and neutral condition, the correlation coefficient (R2obtained was

The Workshop in Heavy Ion Physics at the Alternating Gradient Synchrotron (HIPAGS) was held at Brookhaven from March 5 to 7, 2--1/2 days. The purpose was first to demonstrate the status of the experimental program of nucleus-nucleus collisions which started in the fall of 1986 with the first 16 O beam at 14.6 GeV/c per nucleon. The second objective was to present the theoretical concepts and models being applied to interpret the data. The program also included surveys of the results from the heavy ion program at the CERN-SPS, in areas that are relevant for the AGS program and discussions of future directions. The specific perspective at Brookhaven is the availability of Au beams at 11.5 GeV/c per nucleon from 1992, to which allusions were made so many times during the workshop. These proceedings are organized in the same way as the workshop program, so the list of papers is identical to the program. The workshop was very informal and very preliminary results were shown by experimentalists and theorists alike. Therefore it is strongly advised that anybody who quotes results or ideas from these proceedings, first consult with the authors of the paper being quoted. To facilitate that process, electronic mailing addresses (BITNET) are included with the list of papers and authors

The absolute calibration of a microchannel plate (MCP) assembly using a Thomson spectrometer for laser-driven ion beams is described. In order to obtain the response of the whole detection system to the particles’ impact, a slotted solid state nuclear track detector (CR-39) was installed in front of the MCP to record the ions simultaneously on both detectors. The response of the MCP (counts/particles) was measured for 5–58 MeV carbon ions and for protons in the energy range 2–17.3 MeV. The response of the MCP detector is non-trivial when the stopping range of particles becomes larger than the thickness of the detector. Protons with energies E ≳ 10 MeV are energetic enough that they can pass through the MCP detector. Quantitative analysis of the pits formed in CR-39 and the signal generated in the MCP allowed to determine the MCP response to particles in this energy range. Moreover, a theoretical model allows to predict the response of MCP at even higher proton energies. This suggests that in this regime the MCP response is a slowly decreasing function of energy, consistently with the decrease of the deposited energy. These calibration data will enable particle spectra to be obtained in absolute terms over a broad energy range.

The absolute calibration of a microchannel plate (MCP) assembly using a Thomson spectrometer for laser-driven ion beams is described. In order to obtain the response of the whole detection system to the particles' impact, a slotted solid state nuclear track detector (CR-39) was installed in front of the MCP to record the ions simultaneously on both detectors. The response of the MCP (counts/particles) was measured for 5-58 MeV carbon ions and for protons in the energy range 2-17.3 MeV. The response of the MCP detector is non-trivial when the stopping range of particles becomes larger than the thickness of the detector. Protons with energies E ≳ 10 MeV are energetic enough that they can pass through the MCP detector. Quantitative analysis of the pits formed in CR-39 and the signal generated in the MCP allowed to determine the MCP response to particles in this energy range. Moreover, a theoretical model allows to predict the response of MCP at even higher proton energies. This suggests that in this regime the MCP response is a slowly decreasing function of energy, consistently with the decrease of the deposited energy. These calibration data will enable particle spectra to be obtained in absolute terms over a broad energy range.

The absolute calibration of a microchannel plate (MCP) assembly using a Thomson spectrometer for laser-driven ion beams is described. In order to obtain the response of the whole detection system to the particles’ impact, a slotted solid state nuclear track detector (CR-39) was installed in front of the MCP to record the ions simultaneously on both detectors. The response of the MCP (counts/particles) was measured for 5–58 MeV carbon ions and for protons in the energy range 2–17.3 MeV. The response of the MCP detector is non-trivial when the stopping range of particles becomes larger than the thickness of the detector. Protons with energies E ≳ 10 MeV are energetic enough that they can pass through the MCP detector. Quantitative analysis of the pits formed in CR-39 and the signal generated in the MCP allowed to determine the MCP response to particles in this energy range. Moreover, a theoretical model allows to predict the response of MCP at even higher proton energies. This suggests that in this regime the MCP response is a slowly decreasing function of energy, consistently with the decrease of the deposited energy. These calibration data will enable particle spectra to be obtained in absolute terms over a broad energy range.

A technique to obtain a few hundred A thick self-supporting gold crystal is described. These crystals have been used to perform three channeling experiments with 0.5 to 2 MeV light ions: i) The wide angle scattering probability as a function of the distance from the crystal surface was studied for a beam of particles incident in planar and axial directions. ii) The influence of channeling on the light emission from crystal-excited atomic beams was investigated. iii) A strong channeling effect was found on the probability of transmission of a molecular beam of H 2 + ions through a thin crystal

This paper reports on the triton distribution function in D- 3 He plasmas which is distorted from a Maxwellian owing to the presence of a 1.01-MeV birth component. The deuteron-triton reaction rate (i.e., 14-MeV neutron generation rate) in the plasma should be smaller than the values evaluated by assuming a Maxwellian triton distribution. A local Fokker-Planck calculation shows that although the degree of the decrease in 14-MeV neutron generation strongly depends on the plasma conditions and also on the energy loss mechanism, it becomes appreciable in actual burning plasmas

Modifications induced by 79 MeV Br ions in rutile titanium dioxide thin films, synthesized by dc magnetron sputtering are presented. Irradiations did not induce any new XRD peak corresponding to any other phase. The area and the width of the XRD peaks were considerably affected by irradiation, and peaks shifted to lower angles. But the samples retained their crystallinity at the highest fluence (1 × 10"1"3 ions cm"−"2) of irradiation even though the electronic energy loss of 79 MeV Br ions far exceeds the reported threshold value for amorphization of rutile TiO_2. Fitting of the fluence dependence of the XRD peak area to Poisson equation yielded the radius of ion tracks as 2.4 nm. Ion track radius obtained from the simulation based on the thermal spike model matches closely with that obtained from the fluence dependence of the area under XRD peaks. Williamson–Hall analysis of the XRD spectra indicated broadening and shifting of the peaks are a consequence of irradiation induced defect accumulation leading to microstrains, as was also indicated by Raman and UV–Visible absorption study.

Ion implantation, compared with other waveguide fabrication methods, has some unique advantages. It has proved to be a universal technique for producing waveguides in most optical materials. The authors of the present article reported fabrication of channel and slab waveguides in an Erbium-doped tungsten tellurite glass by implantation of MeV energy N{sup +} ions. The present article reports successful adaptation of the same technique to the fabrication of slab waveguides in eulytine type bismuth germanate (BGO) and CaF{sub 2} crystals. This is the first report on successful waveguide fabrication in these materials using 3.5 MeV N{sup +} ions at implanted fluences between 5 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 15} and 4 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 16} ions/cm{sup 2}. Spectroscopic ellipsometric measurements revealed the existence of guiding structures in both materials. M-line spectroscopic measurements indicated guiding effect in the as-implanted BGO up to 1550 nm and up to 980 nm in the as-implanted CaF{sub 2}. Ion implantation induced the appearance of three peaks in the UV/Vis absorption spectrum of CaF{sub 2}, that can be attributed to colour centres.

Full Text Available Analysis of Fe3+ ion present in aqueous solutions is always of interests. Recently, this ion has been analyzed by colorimetric methods using colloid of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs in capping agents of polymers. The reaction mechanism between AgNPs and Fe3+ is still subject to the further investigation. In this work, 1,10-phenanthroline was used to probe the reaction mechanism between AgNPs and Fe3+ ion in the solution. The colloids of AgNPs were prepared in the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA solution and reacted with Fe3+. The colloid surface plasmon absorbance decreases linearly along with the increase in Fe3+ concentration. The addition of 1,10-phenanthroline to mixture changes the solution to red, indicating that the reaction produces Fe2+. This suggests that the reduction of the AgNPs absorbance is the result of oxidation of the Ag nanoparticles along with the reduction of Fe3+.

Angular and energy distributions due to multiple small angle scattering were calculated with different models, namely from the analytical Szilagyi theory, the Monte-Carlo code MCERD in binary collision approximation and the molecular dynamics code MDRANGE, for 2 MeV 4 He in Au at backscattering geometry and for 20 MeV 127 I recoil analysis of carbon. The widths and detailed shapes of the distributions are compared, and reasons for deviations between the different models are discussed

The total reaction cross-section σsub(R) for interactions between heavy ions is predicted to decrease rapidly with the energy of the incident projectile over the energy range 10 MeV/A - 100 MeV/A. We present here an experimental met σsub(R) to test the model based predictions. The method consists in counting the number of all incoming projectiles and the number of out going projectiles that did not interact with the target. The difference between these two numbers corresponds to the number of particles that reacted with the target nuclei and is therefore proportional to σsub(R). Values of σsub(R) have been measured for the system 12 C + 12 C at two incident energies of 112 MeV and 996 MeV. The results of 1444 +- 70 (112 MeV) and 994 +- 50 (996 MeV) show a total reaction cross-section decreasing with energy as predicted from the Glauber model and optical model fits to elastic scattering [fr

The effect of swift heavy ion (Xe 167 MeV) irradiation on polycrystalline SiC individually implanted with 360 keV Kr and Xe ions at room temperature to fluences of 2 × 10 16 cm −2 and 1 × 10 16 cm −2 respectively, was investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectroscopy and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS). Implanted specimens were each irradiated with 167 MeV Xe +26 ions to a fluence of 8.3 × 10 14 cm −2 at room temperature. It was observed that implantation of 360 keV Kr and Xe ions individually at room temperature amorphized the SiC from the surface up to a depth of 186 and 219 nm respectively. Swift heavy ion (SHI) irradiation reduced the amorphous layer by about 27 nm and 30 nm for the Kr and Xe samples respectively. Interestingly, the reduction in the amorphous layer was accompanied by the appearance of randomly oriented nanocrystals in the former amorphous layers after SHI irradiation in both samples. Previously, no similar nanocrystals were observed after SHI irradiations at electron stopping powers of 33 keV nm −1 and 20 keV nm −1 to fluences below 10 14 cm −2 . Therefore, our results suggest a fluence threshold for the formation of nanocrystals in the initial amorphous SiC after SHI irradiation. Raman results also indicated some annealing of radiation damage after swift heavy ion irradiation and the subsequent formation of small SiC crystals in the amorphous layers. No diffusion of implanted Kr and Xe was observed after swift heavy ion irradiation. (paper)

ZnS/Ag/ZnS (ZAZ) multilayer films were prepared on polyethene terephthalate (PET) by ion beam assisted deposition at room temperature. The structural, optical and electrical characteristics of ZAZ multilayers dependent on the thickness of silver layer were investigated. The ZAZ multilayers exhibit a low sheet resistance of about 10 Ω/sq., a high transmittance of 92.1%, and the improved resistance stabilities when subjected to bending. When the inserted Ag thickness is over 12 nm, the ZAZ multilayers show good resistance stabilities due to the existence of a ductile Ag metal layer. The results suggest that ZAZ film has better optoelectrical and anti-deflection characteristics than conventional indium tin oxide (ITO) single layer.

Data on transmission of neutrons in concrete generated by heavy ions of intermediate energies (of typically up to 1 GeV per nucleon) are of interest for shielding design of accelerators for use in both the research and in the medical field. The energy distributions of neutrons produced by ions of different species (from He to Xe) striking various targets at energies from 100 to 800 MeV per nucleon were recently measured by Kurosawa et al. in the angular range 0-90 deg. . These spectra were used as input data for Monte Carlo simulations to determine source terms and attenuation lengths in ordinary concrete. The present paper presents calculations for 100 MeV/u helium ions on a Cu target, 100 MeV/u carbon ions on C, Al, Cu and Pb, 100 MeV/u neon ions on Cu and Pb, 400 MeV/u carbon ions on C, Al, Cu and Pb, 400 MeV/u neon ions on Cu, 400 MeV/u Ar ions on Cu, 400 MeV/u Fe ions on Cu and 400 MeV/u Xe ions on Cu. The results include the contributions of all secondaries. Some of the resulting attenuation curves are best fitted by a double-exponential function rather than the usual single-exponential. The effect of various approximations introduced in the simulations is discussed. A comparison is made with shielding data for protons scaled with the ion mass number. A comparison is also made with a simple analytical model in use at GANIL.

Surface temperatures of ion-bombarded silicon and gallium arsenide have been measured using an infrared detector. Ion beams of N + , N + 2 , O + , O + 2 , C + , CO + , and H + were used at energies from 1--2.0 MeV and at current densities up to 12 μAcenter-dotcm/sup -2/. No temperature dependence was found on ion species, energy, or current. The change in temperature depended only on beam power, target material, and sample mounting technique. With proper mounting temperature increases of 20 degreeC for silicon and 65 degreeC for gallium arsenide were observed for a beam power density of 1.0 Wcenter-dotcm/sup -2/

Practical application of cuprate superconductors in radiation environment demands that these systems remain insensitive to the irradiation induced defects. The cuprate superconductors however are many orders of magnitude more sensitive than the conventional low T c superconductors. To suppress the irradiation sensitivity of cuprates we consider a crystal engineering approach where metal ions as Ag is made to occupy inter and intra-granular sites of YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7 thin films. We show that superconducting and normal state properties of YBCO/Ag composite thin films prepared by laser ablation remain unchanged under 140 MeV Si ion irradiation up to fluence of 8 x 10 14 ions/cm 2 . The inter- and intra-granular occupancy of Ag is shown to induce microstructural modifications and rigidity to the CuO chains respectively which in turn lead to the radiation insensitivity of the composite films. (author)

Cancer therapy using carbon ions has gained increasing interest in the last decade due to its advantageous dose distributions. For the dosimetry and treatment planning, the accurate knowledge of the stopping power of water for carbon ions is of crucial importance. In the high energy region, the stopping power can be calculated rather accurately by means of the Bethe-Bloch formula. In the case of projectile velocities comparable to those of the valence electrons of the target, these calculations are subject to large uncertainties. There exist no experimental data for the stopping power of water for projectile energies prevailing in the so-called Bragg peak region. The currently available stopping power data for water are derived from measurements in water vapour or D{sub 2}O ice and, hence, neglect the dependence on the state of aggregation. The stopping power of water for charged particles is of high interest not only for practical applications but also to consider how physical and chemical state of the target influence the collisional energy transfer. For the measurement of the stopping power of water, the inverted Doppler-shift attenuation method was used in this work. This method has the advantage that the projectile itself is not needed to be detected and can be slowed down entirely in the target. In this method, the stopping power is determined from the Doppler-shift of the gamma-quanta emitted by projectiles during their slow down. This experiment can be performed at atmospheric pressure and consequently, the stopping power of water can be measured in its real physiological condition. In this work, the stopping power of water for carbon ions was measured for the first time in the energy range between 1 MeV and 6 MeV covering the kinetic energies of carbon ions in the Bragg peak region. The experimental method is presented in detail along with the design of the apparatus and of the data acquisition system. A comprehensive analysis of instrumental effects

We present a novel facility for micro-irradiation of living targets with ions from a 1.7 MV tandem accelerator. We show results using 1 MeV protons and 2 MeV He(2+). In contrast to common micro-irradiation facilities, which use electromagnetic or electrostatic focusing and specially designed vacuum windows, we employ a tapered glass capillary with a thin end window, made from polystyrene with a thickness of 1-2 μm, for ion focusing and extraction. The capillary is connected to a beamline tilted vertically by 45°, which allows for easy immersion of the extracted ions into liquid environment within a standard cell culture dish. An inverted microscope is used for simultaneously observing the samples as well as the capillary tip, while a stage-top incubator provides an appropriate environment for the samples. Furthermore, our setup allows to target volumes in cells within a μm(3) resolution, while monitoring the target in real time during and after irradiation.

Angular distributions of the {sup 9}Be + {sup 15}N elastic and inelastic scattering were measured at E{sub lab}({sup 15}N) = 84 MeV (E{sub c.m.} = 31.5 MeV) for the 0–6.76 MeV states of {sup 9}Be and 0–6.32 MeV states of {sup 15}N. The data were analyzed within the optical model and coupled-reaction-channels method. The elastic and inelastic scattering, spin reorientations of {sup 9}Be in ground and excited states and {sup 15}N in excited states as well as the most important one- and two-step transfer reactions were included in the channels-coupling scheme. The parameters of the {sup 9}Be + {sup 15}N optical potential of Woods–Saxon form as well as deformation parameters of these nuclei were deduced. The analysis showed that the {sup 9}Be + {sup 15}N pure potential elastic scattering dominates at the forward angles whereas the ground state spin reorientation of {sup 9}Be gives a major contribution to the elastic scattering cross sections at the large angles. Contributions from particle transfers are found to be negligible for the present scattering system.

The structural response of β-Ga{sub 2}O{sub 3} to irradiation-induced electronic excitation was investigated. A polycrystalline pellet of this material was irradiated with 946 MeV Au ions and the resulting structural modifications were characterized using in situ X-ray diffraction analysis at various ion fluences, up to 1 × 10{sup 13} cm{sup −2}. Amorphization was induced, with the accumulation of the amorphous phase following a single-impact mechanism in which each ion produces an amorphous ion track along its path. Concurrent with this phase transformation, an increase in the unit cell volume of the material was observed and quantified using Rietveld refinement. This unit cell expansion increased as a function of ion fluence before saturating at 1.8%. This effect is attributed to the generation of defects in an ion track shell region surrounding the amorphous track cores. The unit cell parameter increase was highly anisotropic, with no observed expansion in the [0 1 0] direction. This may be due to the structure of β-Ga{sub 2}O{sub 3}, which exhibits empty channels of connected interstitial sites oriented in this direction.

Research on the incorporation of cutting-edge nano-antibacterial agent for designing dental materials with potent and long-lasting antibacterial property is demanding and provoking work. In this study, a novel resin-based dental material containing photocurable core-shell AgBr/cationic polymer nanocomposite (AgBr/BHPVP) was designed and developed. The shell of polymerizable cationic polymer not only provided non-releasing antibacterial capability for dental resins, but also had the potential to polymerize with other methacrylate monomers and prevented nanoparticles from aggregating in the resin matrix. As a result, incorporation of AgBr/BHPVP nanocomposites did not adversely affect the flexural strength and modulus but greatly increased the Vicker's hardness of resin disks. By continuing to release Ag + ions without the impact of anaerobic environment, resins containing AgBr/BHPVP nanoparticles are particularly suitable to combat anaerobic cariogenic bacteria. By reason of the combined bactericidal effect of the contact-killing cationic polymers and the releasing-killing Ag + ions, AgBr/BHPVP-containing resin disks had potent bactericidal activity against S. mutans. The long-lasting antibacterial activity was also achieved through the sustained release of Ag + ions due to the core-shell structure of the nanocomposites. The results of macrophage cytotoxicity showed that the cell viability of dental resins loading less than 1.0 wt% AgBr/BHPVP was close to that of neat resins. The AgBr/BHPVP-containing dental resin with dual bactericidal capability and long term antimicrobial effect is a promising material aimed at preventing second caries and prolonging the longevity of resin composite restorations.

The suitability of the neutron multiplicity as a gauge for the violence of medium-energy heavy-ion reactions is investigated for the first time. For this purpose the number of neutrons emitted from fission reactions induced by 220-, 290-, and 400-MeV /sup 20/Ne on /sup 238/U is registered event-by-event with a large 4π scintillator tank. It is shown that the neutron multiplicity is indeed closely related to the two quantities characterizing the violence: the induced total intrinsic excitation and the linear momentum transfer

A series of erbium doped SGS antimony-germanate glass embedding silver (Ag0) nanoparticles have been synthesized by a one-step melt-quench thermochemical reduction technique. The effect of NPs concentration and annealing time on the structural and photoluminescent (PL) properties were investigated. The Raman spectra as a function of temperature measured in-situ allow to determine the structural changes in vicinity of Ag+ ions and confirmed thermochemical reduction of Ag+ ions by Sb3+ ions. The surface plasmon resonance absorption band was evidenced near 450 nm. The impact of local field effect generated by Ag0 nanoparticles (NPs) and energy transfer from surface of silver NPs to trivalent erbium ions on near-infrared and up-conversion luminescence was described in terms of enhancement and quench phenomena.

The ( p,p) and ( p,n) cross sections were measured to accuracies of +- 2% and +- 3%, respectively, for 2.0- to 6.7-MeV protons on /sup 107,109/Ag and 115 In. Hauser-Feshbach calculations, which included γ-ray emission channels, were used to convert the ( p,n) cross sections to proton absorption cross sections. Analysis of the ( p,p) and deduced proton absorption cross sections were made simultaneously using a conventional optical-model potential. The measured cross sections can be described using parameters extrapolated from the Sn region in a systematic way, except for a large increase required for the depth of the absorptive potential

We report the fabrication of a planar optical waveguide by silicon ion implantation into Nd-doped phosphate glass at an energy of 6.0 MeV and a dose of 5.0 × 1014 ions/cm2. The change in the surface morphology of the glass after the implantation can be clearly observed by scanning electron microscopy. The measurement of the dark mode spectrum of the waveguide is conducted using a prism coupler at 632.8 nm. The refractive index distribution of the waveguide is reconstructed by the reflectivity calculation method. The near-field optical intensity profile of the waveguide is measured using an end-face coupling system. The waveguide with good optical properties on the glass matrix may be valuable for the application of the Nd-doped phosphate glass in integrated optical devices.

Change in magnetic properties of Bi{sub 2}Sr{sub 2}CaCu{sub 2}O{sub 8+y} (Bi-2212) single crystals due to Kr{sup 20+} ion irradiation is reported, focused on critical current density and irreversibility magnetic field. The Bi-2212 single crystal specimens (3x3x0.3 mm{sup 3}) were prepared by the floating zone method. Each specimen was irradiated with 520 MeV Kr{sup 20+} ions of 10{sup 10}-10{sup 11} cm{sup -2} in the fluence. Magnetic hysteresis was measured at 4.2K-60K with a vibrating sample magnetometer before and after irradiation. Very large enhancement was observed in critical current density and irreversibility magnetic field above 20K. (author)

Temperature and frequency dependent dielectric behaviour has been investigated for pristine and swift heavy ion irradiated (Si ion, 50 MeV energy) kapton-H polyimide in the temperature range of 30 to 250 deg C at frequencies 120 Hz, 1 kHz, 10 kHz and 100 kHz respectively. The dielectric relaxation behaviour of the same samples was also studied using thermally stimulated discharge current (TSDC) technique. A quantitative approach is developed using a well-known Clausius Mossotti equation to relate the TSDC findings to the dielectric constant studies. An overall increase in the dielectric constant of the irradiated samples are also in conformity to the TSDC findings. (author)

When high-energy cosmic rays interact with electronics or other materials in a spacecraft, including the occupants themselves, pions are produced as secondary particles. These secondary pions interact further in the materials producing nuclear secondaries, including nuclear recoils and heavy-ion tertiaries. The secondary pions and the the tertiary particles are capable of producing single-event upsets and other damage in integrated circuits and damage in biological systems. Negative pions stopping in materials are particularly effective because of their unique ability to produce short-range heavy particles from pion stars. With the Los Alamos National Laboratory's version of the intranuclear cascade evaporation code, VEGAS, we have calculated the number of pions produced per energy interval per incident proton from 800 MeV protons on aluminum-27 and silicon-28 along with corresponding results for neutrons, protons, and heavier ions. (orig.).

In order to achieve a heavy-ion microbeam with an energy of hundreds of MeV applied to the research fields of biotechnology and materials science, the JAEA AVF cyclotron (K = 110) has been upgraded to provide a high quality beam with a smaller energy spread and a higher current stability. A flat-top (FT) acceleration system of the cyclotron, designed to produce ion beams with an energy spread of ΔE/E ≤ 0.02%, has been developed to reduce chromatic aberrations in the lenses of the focusing microbeam system. The FT acceleration system provides uniform energy gain of the beam by superimposing a fifth-harmonic voltage on the fundamental one. In addition, stabilization of the acceleration rf voltage and the phase were achieved to accelerate the high quality beam and to provide it stably to the microbeam system connected to a cyclotron beam line. In the latest experiment, we have succeeded to accelerate 260 MeV 20 Ne 7+ with an energy spread of 0.05% in FWHM using the FT acceleration system

We studied the strain introduced in a Si(111) substrate due to MeVion implantation using extremely asymmetric x-ray diffraction and measured the rocking curves of asymmetrical 113 diffraction for the Si substrates implanted with a 1.5 MeV Au 2+ ion at fluence values of 1x10 13 , 5x10 13 , and 1x10 14 /cm 2 . The measured curves consisted of a bulk peak and accompanying subpeak with an interference fringe. The positional relationship of the bulk peak to the subpeak and the intensity variation of those peaks with respect to the wavelengths of the x rays indicated that crystal lattices near the surface were strained; the lattice spacing of surface normal (111) planes near the surface was larger than that of the bulk. Detailed strain profiles along the depth direction were successfully estimated using a curve-fitting method based on Darwin's dynamical diffraction theory. Comparing the shapes of resultant strain profiles, we found that a strain evolution rapidly occurred within a depth of ∼300 nm at fluence values between 1x10 13 and 5x10 13 /cm 2 . This indicates that formation of the complex defects progressed near the surface when the fluence value went beyond a critical value between 1x10 13 and 5x10 13 /cm 2 and the defects brought a large strain to the substrate.

He atoms and He sup + ions are scattered with keV energies under a grazing angle of incidence from an atomically flat and clean Ag(1 1 1) surface. We have measured charge fractions of specularly reflected beams and studied the threshold behaviour for ionization of projectiles in terms of kinematically induced Auger ionization. From comparison of data for neutral and ionized projectiles we could show that precise studies on the kinematic onset of ionization can be performed with neutral projectiles. Small but defined fractions of ions survive the scattering event with the surface which affects the evaluation of data close to the threshold owing to a background of the signals for ions.

An Ag-C thin film was prepared by DC magnetron co-sputtering, using pure silver and graphite as the targets. The microstructure and morphology of the deposited thin film were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Electrochemical performances of the Ag-C thin film anode were investigated by means of discharge/charge and cyclic voltammogram (CV) tests in model cells. The electrochemical impedance spectrum (EIS) characteristics and the chemical diffusion coefficient, D Li of the Ag-C thin film electrode at different discharging states were discussed. It was believed that the excellent cycling performance of the Ag-C electrode was ascribed to the good conductivity of silver and the volume stability of the thin film

Electronic stopping powers for 80-350 keV {sup 19}F ions in AgGaS{sub 2} were obtained by range measurement. Depth profiles of {sup 19}F in AgGaS{sub 2} were measured by using the {sup 19}F(p,{alpha}{gamma}){sup 16}O resonant nuclear reaction at E{sub R}=872.1 keV. A proper convolution calculation method was used to extract the true distribution of fluorine from the experimental excitation yield curves. The electronic stopping powers were derived through fitting the projected range distributions, simulated by using the TRIM/XLL code, to the experimentally measured range distributions. The electronic stopping cross sections were compared with those obtained from Monte Carlo simulation codes.

Electronic stopping powers for 80-350 keV 19 F ions in AgGaS 2 were obtained by range measurement. Depth profiles of 19 F in AgGaS 2 were measured by using the 19 F(p,αγ) 16 O resonant nuclear reaction at E R =872.1 keV. A proper convolution calculation method was used to extract the true distribution of fluorine from the experimental excitation yield curves. The electronic stopping powers were derived through fitting the projected range distributions, simulated by using the TRIM/XLL code, to the experimentally measured range distributions. The electronic stopping cross sections were compared with those obtained from Monte Carlo simulation codes

Ion therapy allows the delivery of highly conformal dose taking advantage of the sharp depth-dose distribution at the Bragg-peak. However, patient positioning errors and anatomical uncertainties can cause dose distortions. To exploit the full potential of ion therapy, an accurate monitoring system of the ion range is needed. Among the proposed methods to monitor the ion range, Positron Emission Tomography (PET) has proven to be the most mature technique, allowing to reconstruct the β+ activity generated in the patient by the nuclear interaction of the ions, that can be acquired during or after the treatment. Taking advantages of the spatial correlation between positron emitters created along the ions path and the dose distribution, it is possible to reconstruct the ion range. Due to the high single rates generated during the beam extraction, the acquisition of the β+ activity is typically performed after the irradiation (cyclotron) or in between the synchrotron spills. Indeed the single photon rate can be one or more orders of magnitude higher than normal for cyclotron. Therefore, acquiring the activity during the beam irradiation requires a detector with a very short dead time. In this work, the DoPET detector, capable of sustaining the high event rate generated during the cyclotron irradiation, is presented. The capability of the system to acquire data during and after the irradiation will be demonstrated by showing the reconstructed activity for different PMMA irradiations performed using clinical dose rates and the 62 MeV proton beam at the CATANA-LNS-INFN. The reconstructed activity widths will be compared with the results obtained by simulating the proton beam interaction with the FLUKA Monte Carlo. The presented data are in good agreement with the FLUKA Monte Carlo.

Ion therapy allows the delivery of highly conformal dose taking advantage of the sharp depth-dose distribution at the Bragg-peak. However, patient positioning errors and anatomical uncertainties can cause dose distortions. To exploit the full potential of ion therapy, an accurate monitoring system of the ion range is needed. Among the proposed methods to monitor the ion range, Positron Emission Tomography (PET) has proven to be the most mature technique, allowing to reconstruct the β + activity generated in the patient by the nuclear interaction of the ions, that can be acquired during or after the treatment. Taking advantages of the spatial correlation between positron emitters created along the ions path and the dose distribution, it is possible to reconstruct the ion range. Due to the high single rates generated during the beam extraction, the acquisition of the β + activity is typically performed after the irradiation (cyclotron) or in between the synchrotron spills. Indeed the single photon rate can be one or more orders of magnitude higher than normal for cyclotron. Therefore, acquiring the activity during the beam irradiation requires a detector with a very short dead time. In this work, the DoPET detector, capable of sustaining the high event rate generated during the cyclotron irradiation, is presented. The capability of the system to acquire data during and after the irradiation will be demonstrated by showing the reconstructed activity for different PMMA irradiations performed using clinical dose rates and the 62 MeV proton beam at the CATANA-LNS-INFN. The reconstructed activity widths will be compared with the results obtained by simulating the proton beam interaction with the FLUKA Monte Carlo. The presented data are in good agreement with the FLUKA Monte Carlo

An inhomogeneous spatial distribution of laser accelerated carbon/oxygen ions produced via the hydrodynamic ambipolar expansion of CO_2 clusters has been measured by using CR-39 detectors. An inhomogeneous etch pits spatial distribution has appeared on the etched CR-39 detector installed on the laser propagation direction, while homogeneous ones are appeared on those installed at 45° and 90° from the laser propagation direction. From the range of ions in CR-39 obtained by using the multi-step etching technique, the averaged energies of carbon/oxygen ions for all directions are determined as 0.78 ± 0.09 MeV/n. The number of ions in the laser propagation direction is about 1.5 times larger than those in other directions. The inhomogeneous etch pits spatial distribution in the laser propagation direction could originate from an ion beam collimation and modulation by the effect of electromagnetic structures created in the laser plasma. - Highlights: • A spatial distribution of ions due to hydrodynamic ambipolar expansion is measured. • The homogeneous ion energy distribution of 0.78 ± 0.09 MeV/n is measured by CR-39. • The number of ions in the laser axis is about 1.5 times larger than other directions.

This experimental work is devoted to the study of the ion emission in solids at the impact of gold clusters of energies within 0.15 to 1.25 MeV range. The physics of ion-solid collisions and the theoretical models of sputtering of solids under ion bombardment are presented in the first chapter. The chapter no. 2 deals with the description of the experimental setup. The study of a gold target allowed to evidence the role of the size and energy of the clusters in determining the emission intensity and the mass distribution of the ions. The 4. chapter gives results from the study of cesium iodide in which the intense emission of CsI clusters could be investigated quantitatively due to multiplicity measurements. Finally, the chapter no. 5 was devoted to the study of a biologic molecule, the phenylalanine, and of a pesticide molecule, chlorosulfuron. This work evidenced the importance of clusters for surface analyses by mass spectrometry

Thermoelectric generator devices have been prepared from 200 alternating layers of SiO2/SiO2+Ge superlattice films using DC/RF magnetron sputtering. The 5 MeV Si ionsbombardmenthasbeen performed using the AAMU Pelletron ion beam accelerator to formquantum dots and / or quantum clusters in the multi-layer superlattice thin films to decrease the cross-plane thermal conductivity, increase the cross-plane Seebeck coefficient and increase the cross-plane electrical conductivity to increase the figure of merit, ZT. The fabricated devices have been annealed at the different temperatures to tailor the thermoelectric and optical properties of the superlattice thin film systems. While the temperature increased, the Seebeck coefficient continued to increase and reached the maximum value of -25 μV/K at the fluenceof 5x1013 ions/cm2. The decrease in resistivity has been seen between the fluence of 1x1013 ions/cm2 and 5x1013 ions/cm2. Transport properties like Hall coefficient, density and mobility did not change at all fluences. Impedance spectroscopy has been used to characterize the multi-junction thermoelectric devices. The loci obtained in the C*-plane for these data indicate non-Debye type relaxation displaying the presence of the depression parameter.

The 1.4 MeV/n beam facility for the UNILAC/GSI has been used to study secondary ion emission from surfaces cleaned under UHV conditions by ion etching or cleaving of crystals. The desorption phenomena observed by means of TOF mass spectrometry can be classified as follows: (1) Clean metal surfaces emit metal ions being ejected by atomic collisions cascades. Electronic excitation of surface states seems to support ionization. (2) The desorption of contaminants adsorbed at the metal surface is strongly correlated with the electronic energy loss of the projectiles - even, if the content of impurities is very low. (3) Ion formation at the epitaxial surface of fluoride crystals as CaF 2 , MgF 2 and NaF is initiated by the electronic excitation of the crystal. At high beam energies the mass spectrum is dominated by a series of cluster ions. These cluster ions disappear below a certain energy deposit threshold, whereas small atomic ions are observed over the whole energy range

In-plane and out-of-plane angular correlations have been measured between fragments of Z>3, Li fragments, 3,4 He, and 1,2,3 H. The changing patterns for 40 Ar induced reactions of 7A, 17A, 27A, and 34A MeV give an overview of the decreasing importance of mass-symmetric fissionlike reactions at the expense of a broad range of more mass-asymmetric breakups. Evidence is given that these fragments come from a central collision group of reactions that have similar violence and from which many combinations of fragments and particles are ejected. Very similar azimuthal angular correlations are observed for particles with a Li fragment and for particles with a pair of heavier fragments (Z>3). This similarity suggests comparable strengths of association with the reaction plane for single Li fragments and for fragment pairs of Z>3. Azimuthal angular correlations for Li-Li pairs exhibit distinct asymmetries; their interpretation via trajectory-model calculations indicates mean delay times of ∼5x10 -22 s

The exfoliation procedure of the ion range determination of gaseous implants in single crystal GaAs is investigated. The correlation of the observed crater depth with the ion range is studied for random, left angle 100 right angle and left angle 110 right angle axial orientation high dose implantations of 1.5-2.5 MeV 1 H and 4 He ions. Depending on the experimental conditions, the crater depths corresponded to range values between the modal range and the range maximum. The observed crater depths could be related to the actual He concentration depth distributions by determining the profiles of the 4 He implants by 2.7 MeV proton backscattering. The implantation parameters affecting the exfoliation process, and especially the increase rate of the sample temperature, are investigated. The range distribution parameters for the 1.5 MeV 4 He implants are presented. ((orig.))

Solid surfaces of organic and inorganic materials have been bombarded by fast heavy ions (several MeV). It is shown that the charge state of the projectile has a strong influence on the atomic and molecular ion desorption yield. Experimental studies proved that molecular ions can be emitted intact from deep layers underneath the surface (volume emission) with the existence of a crater emission. On the other hand light ions like H(+), H(+)-2, H(+)-3 are emitted from the surface of the solid in a time around 10 -16 second. The H(+) depends on the incident charge state g-i. When using slow ions (keV) the same dependence was observed for the first time and compared to the fast ion results. The equilibrum charge state of fast ions passing through solids was measured. The influence of the angle of incidence was investigated. Langmuir-Blodgett films of fatty acid were used. A geometrical model is developed for the 50 angstroms layer [fr

Simulations were performed describing the motion and breakup of energetic C{sub 60} ions interacting with crystalline targets. A hybrid algorithm was used that employs a binary collision model for the scattering of the carbon ions by the atoms of the solid, and molecular dynamics for the Coulomb interactions of the 60 carbon ions with one another. For the case of yttrium iron garnet (YIG), directions such as [1 1 0], [1 0 0], [0 1 0] and [0 0 1] demonstrate channelling for a large fraction of the C ions. For directions such as [1 1 1], [2 1 1] and [7 5 3] the trajectories show no more channelling than for random directions. The effects of tilt, shielding and wake-field interactions were investigated for YIG and {alpha}-quartz.

Since its commissioning in 1970, the 200 MeV Linac at the Brookhaven AGS has been capable of producing peak proton beam current of greater than 100 mA with pulse lengths up to 300 μsec at a repetition rate of 10 pulses/second. The linac typically runs at 5 pulses per second, providing a 60 mA pulse of 120 μsec duration every 1.6 to 2.4 seconds for conventional multiturn injection into the AGS. The intervening pulses of length up to 300 μsec are used by the radio-isotope production, chemistry and medical facilities. Preparations are now being made to inject and accelerate H - ions in order to implement charge exchange injection into the AGS. This paper describes the aspects of this work leading to an H - beam at 200 MeV

Lead metal ions are of great concern and the monitoring of their concentration in the environment has become extremely important. In the present study, a new inorganic-organic hybrid assay of Ag nanorods (AgNR)-Rhodamine 6G (R6G) was developed for the sensitive and selective determination of Pb(2+) ions in aqueous solutions. To the best of our knowledge there is almost no literature on the use of silver nanorod sensors for determination of lead ions in aqueous solutions. The sensor is developed by the coating of R6G on the surface of AgNRs. The sensing is based on the photoluminescence of R6G. The sensor was rapid as the measurements were carried out within 3 min of addition of the test solution to the AgNR-R6G hybrid. Moreover, the system showed excellent stability at tested concentration levels of Pb(2+) ions. The naked eye detection of the colour was possible with 1 mg L(-1) of Pb(2+) ions. The present method has a detection limit of 50 μg L(-1) of Pb(2+) (for a signal/noise (S/N) ratio > 3). The selectivity toward Pb(2+) ions against other metal ions was improved using chelating agents. The proposed method was validated by analysis using different techniques.

This work is focused on investigating the effects of deposition time and Agions implantation on structural and optical properties of ZnO film. The ZnO film was prepared on glass substrate by pulsed DC magnetron sputtering of pure Zn target in reactive oxygen environment for 2 h, 3 h, 4 h and 5 h respectively. X-ray diffraction results revealed polycrystalline ZnO film whose crystallinity was improved with increase of the deposition time. The morphological features indicated agglomeration of smaller grains into larger ones by increasing the deposition time. The UV-vis spectroscopy analysis depicted a small decrease in the band gap of ZnO from 3.36 eV to 3.27 eV with increase of deposition time. The Agions implantation in ZnO films deposited for 5 h on glass was carried out by using Pelletron Accelerator at different ions fluences ranging from 1 × 1011 ions cm-2 to 2 × 1012 ions cm-2. XRD patterns of Agions implanted ZnO did not show significant change in crystallite size by increasing ions fluence from 1 × 1011 ions cm-2 to 5 × 1011 ions cm-2. However, with further increase of the ions fluence, the crystallite size was decreased. The band gap of Agions implanted ZnO indicated anomalous variations with increase of the ions fluence.

In this study, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) was investigated as a negative resist by irradiation with a high-fluence 2 MeV proton beam. The beam from a 1.7 MV Tandetron accelerator at the Plasma and Beam Physics Research Facility (PBP) of Chiang Mai University is shaped by a pair of computer-controlled L-shaped apertures which are used to expose rectangular pattern elements with 1-1000 μm side length. Repeated exposure of rectangular pattern elements allows a complex pattern to be built up. After subsequent development, the negative PMMA microstructure was used as a master mold for casting poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) following a standard soft-lithography process. The PDMS chip fabricated by this technique was demonstrated to be a microfluidic device.

In this study, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) was investigated as a negative resist by irradiation with a high-fluence 2 MeV proton beam. The beam from a 1.7 MV Tandetron accelerator at the Plasma and Beam Physics Research Facility (PBP) of Chiang Mai University is shaped by a pair of computer-controlled L-shaped apertures which are used to expose rectangular pattern elements with 1–1000 μm side length. Repeated exposure of rectangular pattern elements allows a complex pattern to be built up. After subsequent development, the negative PMMA microstructure was used as a master mold for casting poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) following a standard soft-lithography process. The PDMS chip fabricated by this technique was demonstrated to be a microfluidic device.

After a successful orbit insertion, the Juno spacecraft completed its first 53.5 day orbit and entered a very low altitude perijove with the full scientific payload operational for the first time on 27 August 2016. The Jupiter Energetic particle Detector Instrument measured ions and electrons over the auroral regions and through closest approach, with ions measured from 0.01 to >10 MeV, depending on species. This report focuses on the composition of the energetic ions observed during the first perijove of the Juno mission. Of particular interest are the ions that precipitate from the magnetosphere onto the polar atmosphere and ions that are accelerated locally by Jupiter's powerful auroral processes. We report preliminary findings on the spatial variations, species, including energy and pitch angle distributions throughout the prime science region during the first orbit of the Juno mission. The prime motivation for this work was to examine the heavy ions that are thought to be responsible for the observed polar X-rays. Jupiter Energetic particle Detector Instrument (JEDI) did observe precipitating heavy ions with energies >10 MeV, but for this perijove the intensities were far below those needed to account for previously observed polar X-ray emissions. During this survey we also found an unusual signal of ions between oxygen and sulfur. We include here a report on what appears to be a transitory observation of magnesium, or possibly sodium, at MeV energies through closest approach.

The progressively improved GSI accelerators provide beams of heavy ions from energies of 0.05-2000 A centre dot MeV at high particle intensities now. Therefore, a wide variety of common and new heavy-ion target techniques had to be installed and developed during the past 25 years to prepare and characterize self-supported or backed heavy-ion-targets of chemical elements and compounds from hydrogen (as polyethylene) to uranium. The thickness ranged from 2x10 sup - sup 6 to 20 g/cm sup 2 for beam spots of about 5 mm in diameter. Homogeneity, surface structure or individual shape had to be adapted to the needs of each experiment. Special setups were required for targets of poisonous materials, of highly enriched stable isotopes or those of radioactive species in minute amounts. The capability of thin-layer technologies was as well applied to prepare and measure stripper foils or various high-vacuum deposits for experimental or accelerator purposes. The development of different rotating target wheels and control ...

Poly(m-toluidine) (PmT) and Poly(o-toluidine) (PoT) have been synthesized from derivatives of aniline (m-toluidine), (o-toluidine) monomers by chemical oxidative polymerization method. After polymerization, PoT powder was doped with p-toluene sulphonic acid (p-TSA) and the polymer powders were blended with poly vinyl chloride (PVC) to achieve PmT and p-TSA doped PoT dispersed films. XRD, FTIR and UV-visible studies were carried out to get their structural changes and optical information. These blends were irradiated by 60 MeV C 5+ ions with different fluences. Post Irradiation XRD, FTIR and UV-visible spectroscopy were also performed on all films. On p-TSA doped PoT-PVC blends dc-conductivity measurements are also carried out before and after irradiation. The results show structural modifications which lead to changes in optical and electrical properties

An ion velocity distribution function of the postshock phase of an energetic storm particle (ESP) event is obtained from data from the ISEE 2 and ISEE 3 experiments. The distribution function is roughly isotropic in the solar wind frame from solar wind thermal energies to 1.6 MeV. The ESP event studied (8/27/78) is superposed upon a more energetic particle event which was predominantly field-aligned and which was probably of solar origin. The observations suggest that the ESP population is accelerated directly out of the solar wind thermal population or its quiescent suprathermal tail by a stochastic process associated with shock wave disturbance. The acceleration mechanism is sufficiently efficient so that approximately 1% of the solar wind population is accelerated to suprathermal energies. These suprathermal particles have an energy density of approximately 290 eV cubic centimeters.

During this year, the Pittsburgh group has been working with the collaboration (BNL and CERN) in building the final apparatus for experiment 814 at the Brookhaven AGS. In May 1987, during the heavy ion run at the AGS, we mounted a test setup, which was used to understand the behavior of the modified uranium/scintillator calorimeters, to test the prototype Z-counters, to carry out a set of albedo measurements, and to carry out a measurement of the E/sub T/ spectrum for a 10 GeV/nucleon beam incident upon a variety of nuclear targets. Preliminary results from this run indicate that there is almost complete stopping of the ions at 10 GeV/nucleon, as the limit in E/sub T/ reached seems to depend little on the A of the target nucleus. This paper gives a brief description of the status of the various elements of the experiment and a brief discussion of the expansion of the E814 program to include a search for strange matter. Details on the equipment being built by the Pitt group are also given

Construction of high-capacity anode is highly important for the development of next-generation high-performance lithium ion batteries (LIBs). Herein we fabricate Si/Ag nanowires/reduced graphene oxide (Si/Ag NWs/rGO) integrated composite film by introducing binary conductive networks (Ag NWs and rGO) into Si active materials with the help of a facile vacuum-filtration method. Active Si nanoparticles are homogeneously encapsulated by binary Ag NWs-rGO conductive network, in which Ag NWs are interwoven among the rGO sheets. The electrochemical properties of the integrated Si/Ag NWs/rGO composite film are thoroughly characterized as anode of LIBs. Compared to the Si/rGO composite film, the integrated Si/Ag NWs/rGO composite film exhibits enhanced electrochemical performances with higher capacity, better high-rate capability and cycling stability (1269 mAh g"−"1 at 50 mA g"−"1 up to 50 cycles). The binary conductive network plays a positive role in the enhancement of performance due to its faster ion/electron transfer, and better anti-structure degradation caused by volume expansion during the cycling process.

A multilayer film having overall composition Fe 50 Cr 25 Ni 25 , was irradiated successively by 80 MeV Si ions and Agions of 150 and 200 MeV energy. The energy deposited in the multilayer in the form of electronic excitations results in significant modification at the interfaces. The interfacial roughness increases in the system after the irradiations as revealed by X-ray reflectivity measurement. Moessbauer measurements provide evidence of intermixing after the irradiation by 200 MeVAgions. Comparison of heavy ion irradiated multilayer has been done with annealed and low energy ion irradiated samples. Results suggest that the phases formed at the interfaces of iron as a result of electronic energy loss are similar to those in the cases of thermal diffusion and keV energy ion beam irradiation

Experimental and theoretical studies of the double excitation of helium by 2-3 MeV proton impact are presented. A detailed angular dependence of the lineshapes and intensities of the first 2l2l` resonances is discussed. The resonances are characterized by the Shore parameters A and B and the Fano parameter Q. Calculations within Born-I approximation describe approximately the excitation of the 2s{sup 2} {sup 1}S and 2s2p {sup 1}P resonances whereas they fail to reproduce the experimental findings for the 2p{sup 2} {sup 1}D one. On the other hand, close-coupling calculations improve the description of the excitation of the 2s2p{sup 1}P and explains very nicely the 2p{sup 2} {sup 1}D one. Weak discrepancies in the description of the 2s{sup 2} {sup 1}S and 2s2p {sup 1}P excitation in the forward direction are thought to be the signature of a residual post-collisional effect. It is shown that it does not affect the observed lineshapes in our collision velocity range. The integration of the resonance parameters over the emission angle of the electron allows us to deduce total electron yields and to connect the resulting profile with photoionization data. (author).

Zircaloy-4 specimens were irradiated with 3.5 MeV hydrogen ions (dose range: 1 × 1013 H+1 cm-2 to 1 × 1015 H+1 cm-2) using a Pelletron accelerator. FESEM studies reveal formation of hydrogen micro-bubbles, bubbles induced blisters of irregular shapes, and development of cracks on the specimen surface, as in the case of pure zirconium. However, for the highest irradiation dose of 1 × 1015 H+1 cm-2, agglomeration of flower-shape blisters is observed. XRD analysis shows that the most preferentially oriented crystallographic plane is (0 0 4) with texture coefficient values 1.832-2.308 depending on the ions dose. Its diffraction peak intensity first decreases with the increase in ions dose up to 5 × 1013 H+1 cm-2 and later increases up to 1 × 1015 H+1 cm-2. Opposite is found in case of diffraction peak width. Crystallite size and lattice strain determined by Williamson-Hall analysis display a linear relationship between the two with positive slope. Mechanical strength, namely yield stress (YS), ultimate tensile strength (UTS), and fracture stress (FS), increases sharply with ions dose up to 5 × 1013 H+1 cm-2. For 1 × 1014 H+1 cm-2 dose there is a sudden drop of stress to a lowest value and then a slow steady increase in stress up to the highest dose 1 × 1015 H+1 cm-2. Same pattern is followed by uniform elongation and total elongation. All three stress parameters YS, UTS, and FS follow Inverse Hall-Petch relation.

Highlights: • Upon SHI irradiation the average diameters of PPy nanoparticles increases. • Crystallinity of PPy nanoparticles increases with increasing ion fluence. • IR active vibrational bands have different cross sections for SHI irradiation. • Upon SHI irradiation optical band gap energy of PPy nanoparticles decreases. • Upon SHI irradiation thermal stability of PPy nanoparticles increases. -- Abstract: In this study we report 160 MeV Ni{sup 12+} swift heavy ion irradiation induced enhancement in the structural, optical and electrical properties of spherical polypyrrole (PPy) nanoparticles. High resolution transmission electron microscope results show that the pristine PPy nanoparticles have an average diameter of 11 nm while upon irradiation the average diameter increases to 18 nm at the highest ion fluence of 1 × 10{sup 12} ions/cm{sup 2}. X-ray diffraction studies show an enhancement of crystallinity and average crystallite size of PPy nanoparticles with increasing fluence. Studies of Fourier transform infrared spectra suggest the structural modifications of different functional groups upon irradiation. It also reveals that different functional groups have different sensitivity to irradiation. The infrared active N–H vibrational band at 3695 cm{sup −1} is more sensitive to irradiation with a formation cross-section of 5.77 × 10{sup −13} cm{sup 2} and effective radius of 4.28 nm. The UV–visible absorption spectra of PPy nanoparticles show that the absorption band undergoes a red shift with increasing fluence. Moreover upon irradiation the optical band gap energy decreases and Urbach’s energy increases with fluence. Thermo-gravimetric analysis studies suggest that upon irradiation the thermal stability of PPy nanoparticles increases which may be attributed to their enhanced crystallinity. Current–voltage characteristics of PPy nanoparticles exhibit non-Ohmic, symmetric behavior which increases with fluence.

Spherical silver nanoparticles were prepared by means of ion beam synthesis in lithium niobate. The embedded nanoparticles were then irradiated with energetic 84Kr and 197Au ions, resulting in different electronic energy losses between 8.1 and 27.5 keV nm−1 in the top layer of the samples. Due to

Sargassum hemiphyllum polysaccharides (SHP) was extracted from dry Sargassum hemiphyllum (Turner) C. Ag. powder using 60 - 80 degrees C purified water and then hydrolyzed with 4.0 g/L trifluoroacetic acid at 80 degrees C. Without any derivatization reaction, the determination of monosaccharides in SHP was developed by anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection with an Au working electrode and an Ag/AgCl reference electrode. Monosaccharides were separated on a CarboPac PA10 anion-column (2 mm i. d. x 250 mm) by using isocratic elution consisting of 14 mmol/L sodium hydroxide at a flow rate of 0.20 mL/min. Six monosaccharides, xylose, galactose, arabinose, glucose, rhamnose and fructose, contained in SHP were separated and determined. Their contents in SHP were 2 200, 820, 98, 4 560, 358 and 740 mg/kg, respectively. The recoveries of the six monosaccharides were in the range 86.0% - 108.0%. The detection limits for these monosaccharides ranged from 5.6 to 89.6 microg/kg. The experimental results showed that SHP mainly consisted of xylose and glucose with smaller quantities of galactose, arabinose, rhamnose and fructose. This method is suitable for the determination of monosaccharides without any derivatization reaction at the level of microg/kg in dry algae with high sensitivity and good precision.

The energy dependence of the stopping power of 16 O ions in a laser-produced plasma target was experimentally investigated in the projectile energy range of 150-350 keV/u. In order to produce the target plasma a Q-Switched Nd-glass laser was focused onto a small lithium hydride (LiH) pellet. The plasma electron temperature and the electron line density were 15 eV and 2x10 17 cm -2 , respectively. The energy loss of 16 O ions in the plasma was measured by a time-of-flight (TOF) method. We found that the stopping power in the plasma agreed with the theoretical estimation based on a modified Bohr equation with correction at low velocities. In this evaluation, the effective charge of the projectile was calculated by means of rate equations on the loss and capture of electrons. It has been also found that in this projectile energy range the stopping power of the 16 O ions in the plasma still increases with decreasing projectile energy, while it decreases in cold equivalent

Ion beam sputter deposition (IBD) delivers some intrinsic features influencing the growing film properties, because ion properties and geometrical process conditions generate different energy and spatial distributions of the sputtered and scattered particles. Even though IBD has been used for decades, the full capabilities are not investigated systematically and specifically used yet. Therefore, a systematic and comprehensive analysis of the correlation between the properties of the ion beam, the generated secondary particles and backscattered ions and the deposited films needs to be done. A vacuum deposition chamber has been set up which allows ion beam sputtering of different targets under variation of geometrical parameters (ion incidence angle, position of substrates and analytics in respect to the target) and of ion beam parameters (ion species, ion energy) to perform a systematic and comprehensive analysis of the correlation between the properties of the ion beam, the properties of the sputtered and scattered particles, and the properties of the deposited films. A set of samples was prepared and characterized with respect to selected film properties, such as thickness and surface topography. The experiments indicate a systematic influence of the deposition parameters on the film properties as hypothesized before. Because of this influence, the energy distribution of secondary particles was measured using an energy-selective mass spectrometer. Among others, experiments revealed a high-energetic maximum for backscattered primary ions, which shifts with increasing emission angle to higher energies. Experimental data are compared with Monte Carlo simulations done with the well-known Transport and Range of Ions in Matter, Sputtering version (TRIM.SP) code [J.P. Biersack, W. Eckstein, Appl. Phys. A: Mater. Sci. Process. 34 (1984) 73]. The thicknesses of the films are in good agreement with those calculated from simulated particle fluxes. For the positions of the

Operation of accelerator at low pressure is an essential requirement to reduce stripping loss of the negative ions, which in turn results in high efficiency of the NB systems. For this purpose, a vacuum insulated beam source (VIBS) has been developed at JAERI, which reduces the gas pressure in the accelerator by enhanced gas conductance through the accelerator. The VIBS achieves the high voltage insulation of 1 MV by immersing the whole structure of accelerator in vacuum with long (∼ 1.8 m) insulation distance. Results of the voltage holding test using a long vacuum gap of 1.8 m indicate that a transition from vacuum discharge to gas discharge occurs at around 0.2 Pa m in the long vacuum gap. So far, the VIBS succeeded in acceleration of 20 mA (H - ) beam up to 970 keV for 1 s. The high voltage holding capability of the VIBS was drastically improved by installing a new large stress ring, which reduces electric field concentration at the triple junction of the accelerator column. At present the VIBS sustains 1 MV stably for more than 1200 s. Acceleration of ampere class H- beams at high current density is to be started soon to demonstrate ITER relevant beam optics. Operation of negative ion source at low pressure is also essential to reduce the stripping loss. However, it was not so easy to attain high current density H - ions at low pressure, since destruction cross section of the negative ions becomes large if the electron temperature is > 1 eV, in low pressure discharge. Using strong magnetic filter to lower the electron temperature, and putting higher arc discharge power to compensate reduction of plasma density through the filter, an H - ion beam of 310 A/m 2 was extracted at very low pressure of 0.1Pa. This satisfies the ITER requirement of current density at 1/3 of the ITER design pressure (0.3 Pa). (author)

With the increase in the number of particle accelerator facilities under either operation or construction, the accurate calculation using Monte Carlo codes become more important in the shielding design and radiation safety evaluation of accelerator facilities. The calculations with different physics models were applied in both of cases: using only physics model and using the mix and match method of MCNPX code. The issued conditions were the interactions of 600 MeV proton and 290 MeV·{sup n-}1 oxygen with a carbon target. Both of cross-section libraries, JENDL High Energy File 2007 (JENDL/HE-2007) and LA150, were tested in this calculation. In the case of oxygen ion interactions, the calculation results using LAQGSM physics model and JENDL/HE-2007 library were compared with D. Satoh's experimental data. Other Monte Carlo calculations using PHITS and FLUKA codes were also carried out for further benchmarking study. It was clearly found that the physics models, especially intra-nuclear cascade model, gave a great effect to determine proton-induced secondary neutron spectrum in MCNPX code. The variety of physics models related to heavy ion interactions did not make big difference on the secondary particle productions. The variations of secondary neutron spectra and particle transports depending on various physics models in MCNPX code were studied and the result of this study can be used for the shielding design and radiation safety evaluation.

Recent work has developed an analytic theory for the stochastic transport of passing MeVions due to low-n magnetic perturbations, valid for frequencies from ω = 0 to ω ∼ ω TAE ∼ 100 kHz, and for modes with multiple harmonics and nontrivial radial structure, which predicts stochastic thresholds in agreement with guiding-center (GC) results. Obtaining GC results is time consuming, typically requiring hours of computer time to obtain loss results for a single point in parameter space. Along with earlier theory developed for the stochastic transport of trapped particles in such perturbations, this theory gives the basis for a far more rapid means of numerically assessing energetic ion loss in a given configuration, somewhat akin to the RIPLOS code for rapid evaluation of loss due to TF ripple. The authors present the details of implementing such a code, now being developed. The implementation also raises some further theoretical issues. The currently available stochastic thresholds for passing and trapped particles are not the same, and an analytic understanding of the transition between them awaits development

In this thesis the fragmentation of Au projectiles in collisions with light target nuclei ( 12 C, 27 Al, 64 Cu) is studied at a projectile energy of 600 MeV per nucleon. For the description of an event three observables are used: the multiplicity M lp of the light particles, the largest observed charge Z max of the projectile fragments, as well as a newly introduced obsevable Z bound , which is defined as the sum of all charge contained in complex projectile fragments (Z ≥ 2). By means of this observable different exit channels can be identified: the formation of a heavy residual nucleus by evaporation of light particles, the binary fission, the decay into IMF's (3 ≤ Z ≤ 30) and the complete decay into light particles. At the applied incident energy in the case of Au+Cu reactions each of these decay channels can be realized. The observables Z bound and M lpp are proved as suited quantities for the reconstruction of the impact parameter. Furthermore independently on the target a universal relation between Z bound and the multiplicity distribution of medium-heavy fragments is found. By simple model assumptions it is made plausible that Z bound is correlated both with the size of the projectile residue and in the mean with its excitation energy. For the characterization of the decay into IMF's the multiplicity M imf of these fragments is applied. For all three targets with increasing centrality first an increasing of the mean fragment multiplicities to maximal values of 3-4 is observed. In the case of the Cu target and suggestively also at the Al target in the most central collisions again a decreasing of the multiplicity is found. The universal Z bound behaviour is a hint to a - at least partial - equilibration of the primary projectile residue before the decay. (HSI) [de

The first part of this work reports on designing and testing a detector made of a gas proportional counter coupled to a CsI(TI) crystal. It is shown that a good identification of fragments of charge ranging from 3 to 20 is achieved. The energy threshold is lower than in the case of a conventional plastic - CsI(TI) phoswich detector. The second part is devoted to the study of complex fragment production in the {sup 32}S + {sup nat}Ag and {sup 32}S + {sup 58}Ni reactions using the multidetector array AMPHORA. The total multiplicity of charged particles has been used as a criterion of centrally of the collision. The evaluation of the characteristics of fragment emission has thus been studied from peripheral to central collisions. In the case of the most violet collisions the data infer that a rotating hot source has been formed (excitation energy of the order of 500 MeV). It is demonstrated that this sources de-excites through emission of a long chain of fragments and particles. The analysis of the azimuthal correlations of fragments with the evaporation code MODGAN confirmed the hypothesis of such a source. That hot source should rotate with an angular momentum up to 120 h and the emission times would be of the order of 10{sup -21} s. (author). 80 refs.

Cross sections have been measured for charge transfer and ionization in H 2 and rare-gas targets by fast, highly ionized carbon, iron, niobium, and lead ions in charge states +3 to +59, with energies in the range 0.1 to 4.8 MeV/amu. Experimental results are compared with classical-trajectory calculations; agreement is generally good. For a given target, the cross sections for net ionization reduce to a common curve when plotted as cross section divided by charge state versus energy per nucleon divided by charge state

Data from the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory/Max-Planck-Institut fast plasma experiment on Isee 2 have been combined with data from the European Space Agency/Imperial College/Space Research Laboratory low-energy proton experiment on Isee 3 to obtain for the first time an ion velocity distribution function f(v) extending from solar wind energies (-1 keV) to 1.6 MeV during the postshock phase of an energetic storm particle (ESP) event. This study reveals that f(v) of the ESP population is roughly isotropic in the solar wind frame from solar wind thermal energies out to 1.6 MeV. Emerging smoothly out of the solar wind thermal distribution, the ESP f(v) initially falls with increasing energy as E/sup -2.4/ in the solar wind frame. Above about 40 keV no single power law exponent adequately describes the energy dependence of f(v) in the solar wind frame. Above approx.200 keV in both the spacecraft frame and the solar wind frame, f(v) can be described by an exponential in speed (f(v)proportionale/sup -v/v//sub o/) with v/sub o/ = 1.05 x 10 8 cm s -1 . The ESP event studied (August 27, 1978) was superposed upon a more energetic particle event which was predominantly field-aligned and which was probably of solar origin. Our observations suggest that the ESP population is accelerated directly out of the solar wind thermal population or its quiescent suprathermal tail by a stochastic process associated with the shock wave disturbance. The acceleration mechanism is sufficiently efficient that approx.1% of the solar wind population is accelerated to suprathermal energies. These suprathermal particles have an energy density of approx.290 eV cm -3

The reactions 12 C+ 116 Sn, 22 Ne+Ag, 40 Ar+ 100 Mo, and 64 Zn+ 89 Y have been studied at 47A MeV projectile energy. For these reactions the most violent collisions lead to increasing amounts of fragment and light particle emission as the projectile mass increases. This is consistent with quantum molecular dynamics (QMD) model simulations of the collisions. Moving source fits to the light charged particle data have been used to gain a global view of the evolution of the particle emission. Comparisons of the multiplicities and spectra of light charged particles emitted in the reactions with the four different projectiles indicate a common emission mechanism for early emitted ejectiles even though the deposited excitation energies differ greatly. The spectra for such ejectiles can be characterized as emission in the nucleon-nucleon frame. Evidence that the 3 He yield is dominated by this type of emission and the role of the collision dynamics in determining the 3 H/ 3 He yield ratio are discussed. Self-consistent coalescence model analyses are applied to the light cluster yields, in an attempt to probe emitter source sizes and to follow the evolution of the temperatures and densities from the time of first particle emission to equilibration. These analyses exploit correlations between ejectile energy and emission time, suggested by the QMD calculations. In this analysis the degree of expansion of the emitting system is found to increase with increasing projectile mass. The double isotope yield ratio temperature drops as the system expands. Average densities as low as 0.36ρ 0 are reached at a time near 100 fm/c after contact. Calorimetric methods were used to derive the mass and excitation energy of the excited nuclei which are present after preequilibrium emission. The derived masses range from 102 to 116 u and the derived excitation energies increase from 2.6 to 6.9 MeV/nucleon with increasing projectile mass. A caloric curve is derived for these expanded A∼110

The tracking detector of AGS Experiment 810 is a three-piece Time Projection Chamber (TPC) which measures all charged tracks in the forward hemisphere of the nucleon-nucleon center of mass system, i.e. forward of 20 degrees in the lab. A cut at multiplicity 50 was used to select more central collisions, yielding 2291 events from the gold sample, 2170 from the copper. This corresponds to cross sections of 0.59 and 0.20 barns, respectively, defining the 'central' sample for the charged particle distributions presented here. (orig./HSI)

Brookhaven's AGS Booster has been modified to deliver slow extracted beam to a new beam line, the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory (NSRL). This facility was constructed in collaboration with NASA for the purpose of performing radiation effect studies for the NASA space program. The design of the resonant extraction system has been described in [1]. A more detailed description, which includes predictions of the slow extracted beam time structure has been described in [2]. In this report we will present results of the system commissioning and performance

The escape depth of the secondary ions resulting from electronic sputtering of fast heavy ions in inorganic thin films has been investigated. Chromium layers deposited onto SiO 2 substrate as well as SiO x layers deposited onto chromium substrate have been characterized by secondary ion emission mass spectrometry (SIMS) in combination with time-of-flight (TOF) mass analysis (also referred as HSF-SIMS). These crossed experiments lead to a value around 1 nm for SiO x layers and 0.5 nm for Cr layers. On the other hand, HSF-SIMS can be used to correlate the intensity of the secondary ion emission to the film coverage rate and (or) the morphology of particular films like those produced by Low Energy Cluster Beam Deposition (LECBD). Using Sb deposits, the non-linear relationship between ion emission and coverage is interpreted in terms of sputtering enhancement in the individual supported clusters. (author) 22 refs., 9 figs., 1 tab

This study investigated if standard risk assessment hazard tests are long enough to adequately provide the worst case exposure for nanomaterials. This study therefore determined the comparative effects of the aging on the bioavailability and toxicity to earthworms of soils dosed with silver ions and silver nanoparticles (Ag NP) for 1, 9, 30 & 52 weeks, and related this to the total Ag in the soil, Ag in soil pore water and earthworm tissue Ag concentrations. For ionic Ag, a classical pattern of reduced bioavailability and toxicity with time aged in the soil was observed. For the Ag NP, toxicity increased with time apparently driven by Agion dissolution from the added Ag NPs. Internal Ag in the earthworms did not always explain toxicity and suggested the presence of an internalised, low-toxicity Ag fraction (as intact or transformed NPs) after shorter aging times. Our results indicate that short-term exposures, without long-term soil aging, are not able to properly assess the environmental risk of Ag NPs and that ultimately, with aging time, Agion and Ag NP effect will merge to a common value. - Highlights: • Toxicity of silver nanoparticles in soils increased with time. • Standard tests do not adequately assess toxicity of silver NPs to earthworms. • Internal Ag in earthworms did not always explain toxicity after shorter aging times. • With aging time, Agion and Ag NP effect in soils will merge to a common value. - Toxicity of silver nanoparticles in soils increased with time with the result that commonly applied tests of 28 days exposure with freshly spiked soils do not adequately assess the environmental hazard of silver nanoparticles

The electron emission from a polycrystalline silver surface under bombardment with Agm- cluster ions (m = 1, 2, 3) is investigated in terms of ion induced kinetic excitation. The electron yield γ is determined directly by a current measurement method on the one hand and implicitly by the analysis of the electron emission statistics on the other hand. Successful measurements of the electron emission spectra ensure a deeper understanding of the ion induced kinetic electron emission process, with particular emphasis on the effect of the projectile cluster size to the yield as well as to emission statistics. The results allow a quantitative comparison to computer simulations performed for silver atoms and clusters impinging onto a silver surface.

In this paper, the effect of thermal annealing and the duration of ion-exchange on the wetting parameters of the Ag + /Na + ion-exchanged glasses have been reported. The analysis of wetting angle in different post-annealing temperatures shows that the wetting angle is increased by increasing the annealing temperature. The wetting parameters of Ag + /Na + ion-exchanged glasses at different ion-exchanged periods of time have been also investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV–Visible spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy have been used for determination of surface morphology and composition analysis of the prepared samples. The results of SEM show changes in the surface of the samples for different post-annealing temperatures. The optical characterization using UV–Vis spectroscopy shows an increase in the intensity of the absorption peak with increasing the ion-exchange duration. The FTIR spectroscopy confirms the formation of silver oxide material on the surface of Ag + /Na + ion-exchanged glasses.

Graphical abstract: The synthesis, characterization and catalytic activities for glucose oxidation of AgAu bimetallic nanoparticles (BNPs) with size of less than 2 nm are reported. The catalytic activity of Ag{sub 10}Au{sub 90} BNPs was about two times higher than that of Au NPs, even the BNPs have a larger particle size than that of Au NPs. -- Highlights: • Ag{sub core}/Au{sub shell} BNPs with size of less than 2.0 nm were prepared. • No any reducing reagents and lights were used for the preparation of the BNPs. • The catalytic activity of the BNPs is about two times higher than that of Au NPs. -- Abstract: AgAu bimetallic nanoparticles (BNPs), one of the most extensively studied bimetallic systems in the literatures, could have various structures and compositions depending on their preparation conditions. In the present work, catalytically highly active PVP-protected Ag{sub core}/Au{sub shell} BNPs of about 2.5 nm in diameter were fabricated from physical mixtures of aqueous dispersions of Au nanoparticles and Ag{sup +} ions under dark conditions without using any reducing agents. The prepared Ag{sub core}/Au{sub shell} BNP colloidal catalysts, which possessed a high activity for aerobic glucose oxidation, were characterized by Ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry (UV–Vis), Inductive coupled plasma emission spectrometer (ICP), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Energy disperse spectroscopy (EDS) in High-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy (HR-STEM). The highest activity (11,360 mol-glucose h{sup −1} mol-metal{sup −1}) was observed for the BNPs with the Ag/Au atomic ratio of 1/9, the TOF value of which is about two times higher than that of Au nanoparticles with the particle size of 1.3 nm. The enhanced catalytic activity of the prepared Ag{sub core}/Au{sub shell} BNPs compared to Au NPs can be ascribed to the presence of negatively charged Au atoms resulted from electron donations

Inclusive alpha particle and deuteron spectra from collisions of 156 MeV 6 Li-ions with 12 C and 208 Pb were measured at extreme forward emission angles including zero degree. The measurements were performed with the Karlsruhe magnetic spectrograph 'Little John' and required an efficient reduction of the background from small-angle scattering. The observed double differential cross sections and angular distributions have been analysed on the basis of Serber's spectator break-up model. When going to angles smaller than grazing, where Coulomb effects are expected to the dominating, transitional features may appear. Corresponding effects probably associated with Coulomb break-up are observed with the 208 Pb-target and require a slight extension of the Serber approach. In the case of the 12 C-target the break-up cross sections in forward direction seem to reflect the shape of the internal momentum distribution of the alpha particle and deuteron cluster in the 6 Li-projectile and are in agreement with a 2S-type wave function. However, at larger angles the shape appears to be distorted, possibly by final state interactions. (orig.) [de

6 Li-induced break-up reactions have been investigated at reaction angles in extreme forward direction including O 0 with the Karlsruhe Magnetic Spectrograph 'Little John'. The experiments were characterized by the minimization of the high experimental background that dominates at small emission angles. Inclusive alpha-particle and deuteron spectra from the bombardement of 12 C- and 208 Pb-targets with 156 MeV 6 Li-ions have been measured. Below the grazing angle the Coulomb interaction shows a distinct influence on the angular distributions of the fragments. A simple spectator-model and a more realistic description within the DWBA-formalism largely allows a reproduction of the data. In the light of the reverse reaction α + d → 6 Li + γ at small α-d-relative energies, which is of considerable interest for astrophysics, a particle-particle-coincidence measurement with θ α = 5 0 and θ d = -2 0 has been performed. The result could be reproduced reasonably well by a simple Monte-Carlo-simulation. Beside the treatment of a physical problem this work deals with the start-up of the magnetic spectrograph and the clarification of spectrograph specific questions concerning the data reduction. (orig.) [de

The dielectric relaxations investigations have been carried out in pristine as well as 100 MeV 58 Ni ion irradiated (PELLETRON facility, Nuclear Science Center, New Delhi) PET/0.3 PHB PLC samples. Thermally stimulated depolarization current technique (TSDC) has been employed for this purpose. The plc samples were polarized at 180 deg C under the influence of various polarizing fields following the usual method. Three current maxima are observed around 35deg, 120deg and 155degC which are ascribed as β', β and α transitions. These transitions are mainly due to the fast reacting dipoles of PHB regions, dipolar character due to carbonyl groups in PET rich phase and to the cold crystallization of PET. The results confirm the biphasic nature of this plc. The high energy irradiation influences both β and α transitions. Increase in fluence shifts the β peak as well as α peak towards higher temperature. This confirms that high energy irradiation has not only affected the carbonyl groups but has created new phases. (author)

The new low level rf system for the light ion acceleration program features direct digital control of a phase continuous rf synthesizer clocked by finite changes in the B field. The system, its operation and testing are described. The system covers the complete rf frequency range and switches over from single cavity acceleration to multiple cavity acceleration with no beam loss. It also switches from the programmed drive to the normal bootstrap system

A simple method for separation/preconcentration and determination of Ag (1) in aqueous samples is described. The method is based on formation of an ion-associate between Ag (1)-iodide complex and ferroin, which can be floated at the interface of the aqueous/n-heptane phases. The flotation process was carried out using 500-ml aliquot of the aqueous solution and the floated layer was dissolved in 5 ml of 1 M HNO 3 containing methanol (50% v/v) as the solvent. The Ag (1) content was then determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The method so could be considered as an enrichment process, was achieved to a quantitative feature, when the pH of the solution was adjusted to 4 and the concentrations of iodide and ferroin were about 3.2x10 -4 M and 6.25x10 -5 M, respectively. The LOD and RSD (n=7) were obtained 1.0x10 -8 M and 2.4%, respectively. It was found that a large number of cations and anions even at high considerably foreign ion/Ag(1) ratios were not interfered. The method was applied satisfactorily to recovery of Ag(I) from different aqueous samples

This work focuses on the study of the emission statistics of secondary electrons from thin carbon foils bombarded with H{sup 0}, H{sub 2}{sup +} and H{sub 3}{sup +} projectiles in the 0.25-2.2 MeV energy range. The phenomenon of secondary electron emission from solids under the impact of swift ions is mainly due to inelastic interactions with target electrons. The phenomenological and theoretical descriptions, as well as a summary of the main theoretical models are the subject of the first chapter. The experimental set-up used to measure event by event the electron emission of the two faces of a thin carbon foil traversed by an energetic projectile is described in the chapter two. In this chapter are also presented the method and algorithms used to process experimental spectra in order to obtain the statistical distribution of the emitted electrons. Chapter three presents the measurements of secondary electron emission induced by H atoms passing through thin carbon foils. The secondary electron yields are studied in correlation with the emergent projectile charge state. We show the peculiar role of the projectile electron, whether it remains or not bound to the incident proton. The fourth chapter is dedicated to the secondary electron emission induced by H{sub 2}{sup +} and H{sub 3}{sup +} polyatomic ions. The results are interpreted in terms of collective effects in the interactions of these ions with solids. The role of the proximity of the protons, molecular ion fragments, upon the amplitude of these collective effects is evidenced from the study of the statistics of forward emission. These experiences allowed us to shed light on various aspects of atom and polyatomic ion inter-actions with solid surfaces. (author)

This work focuses on the study of the emission statistics of secondary electrons from thin carbon foils bombarded with H{sup 0}, H{sub 2}{sup +} and H{sub 3}{sup +} projectiles in the 0.25-2.2 MeV energy range. The phenomenon of secondary electron emission from solids under the impact of swift ions is mainly due to inelastic interactions with target electrons. The phenomenological and theoretical descriptions, as well as a summary of the main theoretical models are the subject of the first chapter. The experimental set-up used to measure event by event the electron emission of the two faces of a thin carbon foil traversed by an energetic projectile is described in the chapter two. In this chapter are also presented the method and algorithms used to process experimental spectra in order to obtain the statistical distribution of the emitted electrons. Chapter three presents the measurements of secondary electron emission induced by H atoms passing through thin carbon foils. The secondary electron yields are studied in correlation with the emergent projectile charge state. We show the peculiar role of the projectile electron, whether it remains or not bound to the incident proton. The fourth chapter is dedicated to the secondary electron emission induced by H{sub 2}{sup +} and H{sub 3}{sup +} polyatomic ions. The results are interpreted in terms of collective effects in the interactions of these ions with solids. The role of the proximity of the protons, molecular ion fragments, upon the amplitude of these collective effects is evidenced from the study of the statistics of forward emission. These experiences allowed us to shed light on various aspects of atom and polyatomic ion inter-actions with solid surfaces. (author)

Full Text Available In this work, the role of poly(vinyl alcohol (PVA blending on structural and electrical properties of chitosan:silver nitrate systems is studied. The X-ray diffraction (XRD results show that the crystalline phase of chitosan (CS is greatly scarified by silver nitrate (AgNt salt. The crystalline domain of CS:AgNt is more broadened at 10 wt % of PVA. The spike and semicircular arcs can be separated in impedance plots. At high temperatures, the spike regions remained. The direct current (DC conductivity was calculated from the bulk resistance obtained from the impedance plots. The dielectric constant and DC conductivity versus PVA content exhibited similar behavior. The maximum DC conductivity at ambient temperature was 1.1 × 10−6 S/cm for 10 wt % of PVA. The DC ionic conductivity increased to 9.95 × 10−5 S/cm at 80 °C. Above 10 wt % of PVA, the drop in DC conductivity and dielectric constant were observed due to the increase in viscosity. Shifting of relaxation peaks towards the lower frequency revealed the increase of resistivity of the samples. The linear increase of DC conductivity versus 1000/T indicated that ion transport followed the Arrhenius model. The incomplete semicircular arc in Argand plots indicated the non-Debye type of relaxation process. The Argand plots were used to distinguish between conductivity relaxation and viscoelastic relaxation. Three regions were distinguished in the alternating current (AC spectra of the blend electrolyte samples. The plateau region in AC spectra was used to estimate the DC conductivity. The estimated DC conductivity from the AC spectra was close to those calculated from the impedance plots.

Full Text Available Background: Multicomponent heterostructure nanowires and nanogaps are of great interest for applications in sensorics. Pulsed electrodeposition in ion-track etched polymer templates is a suitable method to synthesise segmented nanowires with segments consisting of two different types of materials. For a well-controlled synthesis process, detailed analysis of the deposition parameters and the size-distribution of the segmented wires is crucial.Results: The fabrication of electrodeposited AuAg alloy nanowires and segmented Au-rich/Ag-rich/Au-rich nanowires with controlled composition and segment length in ion-track etched polymer templates was developed. Detailed analysis by cyclic voltammetry in ion-track membranes, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy was performed to determine the dependency between the chosen potential and the segment composition. Additionally, we have dissolved the middle Ag-rich segments in order to create small nanogaps with controlled gap sizes. Annealing of the created structures allows us to influence their morphology.Conclusion: AuAg alloy nanowires, segmented wires and nanogaps with controlled composition and size can be synthesised by electrodeposition in membranes, and are ideal model systems for investigation of surface plasmons.

Highlights: • A new data set of L X-ray production cross sections by nitrogen ion impact is given. • The target elements have atomic numbers in the range 58–66 (lanthanoids). • A universal scaling as function of a reduced velocity variable is applied. • The eCPSSR model with EC and MI corrections gives very good results. - Abstract: L-shell X-ray production cross sections from the lanthanoid elements Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, and Dy, induced by the impact of {sup 14}N{sup 2+} ions with energies in the interval 7.0 MeV to 10.5 MeV (0.50 MeV/μ to 0.75 MeV/μ), were measured and then compared with theoretical calculations obtained with the ECPSSR model with exact limits of integration (eCPSSR) and related corrections. These include the electron capture by the incoming ion and multiple ionizations of higher shells. Data from this work were contrasted with previously published L X-ray production cross sections for {sup 14}N{sup 2+} ion impact. As with other ions, a universal behavior is found when L{sub α} and L{sub γ} X-ray production cross sections are plotted as a function of reduced velocity parameters. The agreement with theoretical predictions was very good when the corrections were applied to the eCPSSR model.

The goal of this research is to develop a method to treat mixed hazardous wastes containing selected organic compounds and heavy metals, including actinide elements. One approach is to destroy the organic via electrochemical oxidation to carbon dioxide, then recover the metal contaminants through normally accepted procedures such as ion exchange, precipitation, etc. The authors have chosen to study the electrochemical oxidation of a simple alcohol, iso-propanol. Much of the recent work reported involved the use of an electron transfer mediator, usually the silver(I)/(II) redox couple. This involved direct electrochemical generation of the mediator at the anode of a divided cell followed by homogeneous reaction of the mediator with the organic compound. In this study the authors have sought to compare the mediated reaction with direct electrochemical oxidation of the organic. In addition to silver(I)/(II) they also looked at the cobalt(II)/(III) redox coupled. In the higher oxidation state both of these metal ions readily hydrolyze in aqueous solution to ultimately form insoluble oxide. The study concluded that in a 6M nitric acid solution at room temperature iso-propanol can be oxidized to carbon dioxide and acetic acid. Acetic acid is a stable intermediate and resists further oxidation. The presence of Co(III) enhances the rate or efficiency of the reaction

We report a simple green chemistry to synthesize and stabilize monodispersed silver and gold nanoparticles sols by reducing aqueous solution of the respective metal salts in the presence of bilirubin (BR). No additional capping agent was used in the process of stabilization of the nanoparticles. As a completely new finding, we have observed that BR known to be toxic at higher concentration in one hand and conversely an antioxidant at physiological concentration reduces these metal ions to form the respective metal nanoparticles. Moreover, BR and its oxidized products also serve as capping agents to the nanoparticles. The particles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy. BR and its oxidized products capped nanoparticles are stable for months. The UV-Vis absorption spectra of the silver sol show the plasmon peak of symmetric spherical particles which was further reflected in the TEM images. The sizes of the silver particles were about 5 nm. These silver particles showed reasonably high antibacterial activity in Gram negative wild type E. coli. In the case of interaction of BR with gold ions, we could obtain cubic gold nanoparticles of average sizes 20-25 nm. Possible modes of anchorage of BR and/its oxidized products to silver nanoparticles were demonstrated by surface-enhanced resonance Raman spectroscopy (SERS) that in turn demonstrated the feasibility of using these nanoparticles as SERS substrates.

We report a simple green chemistry to synthesize and stabilize monodispersed silver and gold nanoparticles sols by reducing aqueous solution of the respective metal salts in the presence of bilirubin (BR). No additional capping agent was used in the process of stabilization of the nanoparticles. As a completely new finding, we have observed that BR known to be toxic at higher concentration in one hand and conversely an antioxidant at physiological concentration reduces these metal ions to form the respective metal nanoparticles. Moreover, BR and its oxidized products also serve as capping agents to the nanoparticles. The particles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy. BR and its oxidized products capped nanoparticles are stable for months. The UV-Vis absorption spectra of the silver sol show the plasmon peak of symmetric spherical particles which was further reflected in the TEM images. The sizes of the silver particles were about 5 nm. These silver particles showed reasonably high antibacterial activity in Gram negative wild type E. coli. In the case of interaction of BR with gold ions, we could obtain cubic gold nanoparticles of average sizes 20-25 nm. Possible modes of anchorage of BR and/its oxidized products to silver nanoparticles were demonstrated by surface-enhanced resonance Raman spectroscopy (SERS) that in turn demonstrated the feasibility of using these nanoparticles as SERS substrates.

Excitation functions of 32 3 He- and α-induced nuclear reactions on 107 Ag and 109 Ag have been measured. The incident projectile energies ranged from 10 to 40 MeV for the 3 He-ions and 10 to 100 MeV for the α-particles. The recoil range of some 3 He-induced reaction products and the isomeric ratio values indicate the predominance of a precompound-compound nucleous mechanism. The experimental cross sections were compared with the excitation functions calculated on the basis of the compound nucleus and hybrid models. Using the values n 0 ( 3 He) = 5 and n 0 (α) = 4 for the initial exciton number and a = A/12.5 for the level density parameter a satisfactory reproduction of the experimental results for the α-induced reactions was achieved, whereas the calculated excitation functions for the 3 He-induced reactions are about a factor of two higher. (orig.) [de

Efforts have continued in the area of peripheral and central collisions of relativistic heavy ions. In the area of peripheral collisions, the analysis of the 1n and 2p decay channels has been completed. In the area of central collisions, the first measurement of the E T distributions in Au + Au collisions, through the use of the participant calorimeter, was completed, and the results were compared with those obtained in collisions with Si projectiles. In addition, a thorough study of two-particle correlation functions was carried out by use of the data from the silicon pad multiplicity detector. Differential cross sections for 14.6-GeV/c 28 Si on Al, Cu, and Pb, and 11.4-GeV/c 197 Au on Al, Cu, Au, and Pb are given. 32 figs., 4 tabs., 24 refs

Using measurements from the Advanced Composition Explorer /Ultra-Low Energy Isotope Spectrometer near 1 au, we surveyed the composition and spectra of heavy ions (He-through-Fe) during quiet times from 1998 January 1 to 2015 December 31 at suprathermal energies between ∼0.11 and ∼1.28 MeV nucleon{sup −1}. The selected time period covers the maxima of solar cycles 23 and 24 and the extended solar minimum in between. We find the following. (1) The number of quiet hours in each year correlates well with the sunspot number, year 2009 was the quietest for about 82% of the time. (2) The composition of the quiet-time suprathermal heavy-ion population ({sup 3}He, C-through-Fe) correlates well with the level of solar activity, exhibiting SEP-like composition signatures during solar maximum, and CIR- or solar wind-like composition during solar minimum. (3) The heavy-ion (C–Fe) spectra exhibit suprathermal tails at energies of 0.11–0.32 MeV nucleon{sup −1} with power-law spectral indices ranging from 1.40 to 2.97. Fe spectra soften (steepen, i.e., spectral index increases) smoothly with increasing energies compared with Fe, indicating a rollover behavior of Fe at higher energies (0.45–1.28 MeV nucleon{sup −1}). (4) Spectral indices of Fe and O do not appear to exhibit clear solar cycle dependence. (2) and (3) imply that during IP quiet times and at energies above ∼0.1 MeV nucleon{sup −1}, the IP medium is dominated by material from prior solar and interplanetary events. We discuss the implications of these extended observations in the context of the current understanding of the suprathermal ion population near 1 au.

Graphical abstract: -- Highlights: •Well-ordered Au-nanorod array with a controlled tip ring diameter (Au{sub N}Rs{sub d}) is made by focused ion beam. •Au{sub N}Rs{sub d} coupled with Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs/Au{sub N}Rs{sub d}) is competent to sense target molecules in a solution. •Ag NPs/Au{sub N}Rs{sub d} SERS active substrate can detect a single molecule of crystal violet. •Ag NPs/Au{sub N}Rs{sub d} as a SERS-active substrate can distinguish melamine contaminants at low concentrations (e.g., 10{sup −12} M). -- Abstract: A well-ordered Au-nanorod array with a controlled tip ring diameter (Au{sub N}Rs{sub d}) was fabricated using the focused ion beam method. Au{sub N}Rs{sub d} was then coupled with Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs) to bridge the gaps among Au nanorods. The effect of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) on Au{sub N}Rs{sub d} and Ag NPs/Au{sub N}Rs{sub d} was particularly verified using crystal violet (CV) as the molecular probe. Raman intensity obtained from a characteristic peak of CV on Au{sub N}Rs{sub d} was estimated by an enhancement factor of ≈10{sup 7} in magnitude, which increased ≈10{sup 12} in magnitude for that on Ag NPs/Au{sub N}Rs{sub d}. A highly SERS-active Ag NPs/Au{sub N}Rs{sub d} was furthermore applied for the detection of melamine (MEL) at very low concentrations. Raman-active peaks of MEL (10{sup −3} to 10{sup −12} M) in water or milk solution upon Au{sub N}Rs{sub d} or Ag NPs/Au{sub N}Rs{sub d} were well distinguished. The peaks at 680 and 702 cm{sup −1} for MEL molecules were found suitable to be used as the index for sensing low-concentration MEL in a varied solution, while that at 1051 cm{sup −1} was practical to interpret MEL molecules in water or milk solution bonded with Au (i.e., Au{sub N}Rs{sub d}) or Ag (i.e., Ag NPs/Au{sub N}Rs{sub d}) surface. At the interface of Ag NPs/Au{sub N}Rs{sub d} and MEL molecules in milk solution, a laser-induced electromagnetic field or hotspot effect was produced and

Full Text Available Ion irradiation effects on the glass network and structural units have been studied by irradiating borosilicate glass thin film samples with 50 MeV Li3+ and 180 MeV Ag14+ swift heavy ions (SHI at different fluence rates ranging from 1012 ions/cm2 to 1014 ions/cm2. Glass of the composition (65-x Bi2O3-10Al2O3-(65-y B2O3-25SiO2 (x = 45, 40; y = 20, 25 has been prepared by melt quench technique. To study the effects of ionizing radiation, the glass thin films have been prepared from these glasses and characterized using XRD, FTIR, and UV-Vis spectroscopic techniques. IR spectra are used to study the structural arrangements in the glass before and after irradiation. The values of optical band gap, Urbach energy, and refractive index have been calculated from the UV-Vis measurements. The variation in optical parameters with increasing Bi2O3 content has been analyzed and discussed in terms of changes occurring in the glass network. A comparative study of the influence of Li3+ ion beam on structural and optical properties of the either glass system with Ag14+ ion is done. The results have been explained in the light of the interaction that SHI undergo on entering the material.

Improvement of an antibacterial activity is one of the issues in modification of artificial teeth for an aged society. Study was made on improvement technique of an antibacterial activity with Agion as secondary corrosion measures. Partial gaps of dental materials themselves and gaps between materials and peripheral tissues causes bad breath or bad teeth through propagation of disease germs. Agion is harmless and has an antibacterial activity for bio-tissues from a macro-viewpoint, however, only corrosion germ causing bad teeth in mouths should be sterilized by controlling an elution rate of Ag properly. The antibacterial activity was controlled by controlling Agion implantation depth and rate, and Ag elution rate for dental materials. Experiment was made on an IMZ twinplus specimen implanted with Agion and an Ag thin film-coated specimen using beagle dog in comparison with an unmodified specimen. As a result, the very favorable antibacterial activity was obtained. Agion is effective for prevention of endogenous infectious disease due to mouth germs in dental surgery. 3 refs., 47 figs., 10 tabs.

We have drastically improved the sensitivity of the nuclear elastic scattering (NES) method for determining hydrogen concentrations in hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) films. A beam of 100 MeV /sup 3/He/sup 2 +/ ions was used in the experiment. By taking the coincidence of detection of the scattered /sup 3/He ion with that of the recoil proton, we could achieve a sensitivity of 0.1 atomic percent with a precision of about 1 percent for 1 ..mu..m films.

In the framework of the development of a neutral beam injection system for ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor), the electrostatic acceleration of negative ion H/D beams up to an energy of 1 MeV has been studied. With the support of 3-D beam trajectory calculations, the limitations of the multi-aperture multi-grid acceleration concept, ITER reference concept, ar shown and the relevance of a new concept, called SINGAP, is demonstrated. In a SINGAP accelerator, beamlets are pre-accelerated with a classical triode multi-apertures system up to {approx} 50 keV. The pre-accelerated beamlets are then merged into a single beam and post-accelerated at high energy through a large SINGle APerture using one SINgle GAP. The optics of one pre-accelerated beamlet has been studied on the INCA triode accelerator at the Ecole Polytechnique. A diagnostic has been developed to measure the emittance of the pre-accelerated beamlet. A diagnostic has been developed to measure the emittance of the pre-accelerated beamlet. Values of {approx} 0.03{pi}.mrad.cm for the effective normalized emittance and {approx} 12 mrad for the minimal beam divergence have been found (Hbeams). Besides, the effects of co-extracted electrons and pressure in the transport region on the beam optics are shown and experiment is compared to beam numerical simulation. On the Cadarache 1 MeV, 100 mA, D- SINGAP accelerator, beams of 1 s pulse were produced at a level of 900 keV (without observing breakdowns between electrodes). SINGAP optics has been investigated using an infrared calorimetric beam profile diagnostic (2-D) and a neutral beam profile diagnostic (1-D). The control of the beam optics is very satisfying: a divergence of {approx} 10 mrad has been measured, and 3-D simulations and experimentation are in good agreement. (author) 117 refs.

Graphical abstract: The synthesis, characterization and catalytic activities for glucose oxidation of AgAu bimetallic nanoparticles (BNPs) with size of less than 2 nm are reported. The catalytic activity of Ag 10 Au 90 BNPs was about two times higher than that of Au NPs, even the BNPs have a larger particle size than that of Au NPs. -- Highlights: • Ag core /Au shell BNPs with size of less than 2.0 nm were prepared. • No any reducing reagents and lights were used for the preparation of the BNPs. • The catalytic activity of the BNPs is about two times higher than that of Au NPs. -- Abstract: AgAu bimetallic nanoparticles (BNPs), one of the most extensively studied bimetallic systems in the literatures, could have various structures and compositions depending on their preparation conditions. In the present work, catalytically highly active PVP-protected Ag core /Au shell BNPs of about 2.5 nm in diameter were fabricated from physical mixtures of aqueous dispersions of Au nanoparticles and Ag + ions under dark conditions without using any reducing agents. The prepared Ag core /Au shell BNP colloidal catalysts, which possessed a high activity for aerobic glucose oxidation, were characterized by Ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry (UV–Vis), Inductive coupled plasma emission spectrometer (ICP), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Energy disperse spectroscopy (EDS) in High-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy (HR-STEM). The highest activity (11,360 mol-glucose h −1 mol-metal −1 ) was observed for the BNPs with the Ag/Au atomic ratio of 1/9, the TOF value of which is about two times higher than that of Au nanoparticles with the particle size of 1.3 nm. The enhanced catalytic activity of the prepared Ag core /Au shell BNPs compared to Au NPs can be ascribed to the presence of negatively charged Au atoms resulted from electron donations from neighboring Ag atoms and PVP due to electronic charge

The influence of differences in resin-matrix structure on the ion-exchange adsorption of trace amounts of Ag(I), Co(II) and Cr(III) was studied by using both macroreticular and gel-type resins. The results indicate that the rate-determining step of the exchange mechanism of these ions is film diffusion under conditions of finite volume and at an ionic strengh of 1x10 -4 . The diffusion coefficient decreases with increasing size of the hydrated ions - in the order Dsub(Ag)>Dsub(Co)>Dsub(Cr). It may be said that the faster rate of exchange in the macroreticular resin is due to the larger surface area and pore size of this resin. Also, in a column system - as opposed to batch operation, it is assumed that the rate-determining step of the exchange reaction is film diffusion. With both resins, the kinetic coefficient β decreases in the order: βsub(Ag)>βsub(Co)>βsub(Cr). For the same linear velocity, a higher β-value is obtained with the macroreticular than with the gel-type resin. Consequently, a higher separating efficiency may be expected from the macroreticular resin for concentrating and separating trace amounts of cations from aqueous solution. (auth.)

Ion implantation proved to be an universal technique for producing waveguides in most optical materials. Tellurite glasses are good hosts of rare-earth elements for the development of fibre and integrated optical amplifiers and lasers covering all the main telecommunication bands. Er{sup 3+}-doped tellurite glasses are good candidates for the fabrication of broadband amplifiers in wavelength division multiplexing around 1.55 μm, as they exhibit large stimulated cross sections and broad emission bandwidth. Calcium fluoride is an excellent optical material, due to its perfect optical characteristics from UV wavelengths up to near IR. It has become a promising laser host material (doped with rare earth elements). Ion implantation was also applied to optical waveguide fabrication in CaF{sub 2} and other halide crystals. In the present work first single-energy implantations at 3.5 MeV at various fluences were applied. Waveguide operation up to 1.5 μm was observed in Er:Te glass, and up to 980 nm in CaF{sub 2}. Then double-energy implantations at a fixed upper energy of 3.5 MeV and lower energies between 2.5 and 3.2 MeV were performed to suppress leaky modes by increasing barrier width.

The defects and disorder in the thin films caused by MeVions bombardment and the grain boundaries of these nanoscale clusters increase phonon scattering and increase the chance of an inelastic interaction and phonon annihilation. We prepared the thermoelectric generator devices from 100 alternating layers of SiO{sub 2}/SiO{sub 2} + Cu multi-nano layered superlattice films at the total thickness of 382 nm and 50 alternating layers of SiO{sub 2}/SiO{sub 2} + Au multi-nano layered superlattice films at the total thickness of 147 nm using the physical vapor deposition (PVD). Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS) and RUMP simulation have been used to determine the stoichiometry of the elements of SiO{sub 2}, Cu and Au in the multilayer films and the thickness of the grown multi-layer films. The 5 MeV Si ions bombardments have been performed using the AAMU-Center for Irradiation of Materials (CIM) Pelletron ion beam accelerator to make quantum (nano) dots and/or quantum (quantum) clusters in the multilayered superlattice thin films to decrease the cross plane thermal conductivity, increase the cross plane Seebeck coefficient and cross plane electrical conductivity. To characterize the thermoelectric generator devices before and after Si ion bombardments we have measured Seebeck coefficient, cross-plane electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity in the cross-plane geometry for different fluences.

Full Text Available The study of binding affinity is essential in surface plasmon resonance (SPR sensing because it allows researchers to quantify the affinity between the analyte and immobilised ligands of an SPR sensor. In this study, we demonstrate the derivation of the binding affinity constant, K, for Pb2+ and Hg2+ ions according to their SPR response using a gold/silver/gold/chitosan–graphene oxide (Au/Ag/Au/CS–GO sensor for the concentration range of 0.1–5 ppm. The higher affinity of Pb2+ to binding with the CS–GO sensor explains the outstanding sensitivity of 2.05 °ppm−1 against 1.66 °ppm−1 of Hg2+. The maximum signal-to-noise ratio (SNR upon detection of Pb2+ is 1.53, and exceeds the suggested logical criterion of an SNR. The Au/Ag/Au/CS–GO SPR sensor also exhibits excellent repeatability in Pb2+ due to the strong bond between its functional groups and this cation. The adsorption data of Pb2+ and Hg2+ on the CS–GO sensor fits well with the Langmuir isotherm model where the affinity constant, K, of Pb2+ and Hg2+ ions is computed. The affinity of Pb2+ ions to the Au/Ag/Au/CS–GO sensor is significantly higher than that of Hg2+ based on the value of K, 7 × 105 M−1 and 4 × 105 M−1, respectively. The higher shift in SPR angles due to Pb2+ and Hg2+ compared to Cr3+, Cu2+ and Zn2+ ions also reveals the greater affinity of the CS–GO SPR sensor to them, thus supporting the rationale for obtaining K for these two heavy metals. This study provides a better understanding on the sensing performance of such sensors in detecting heavy metal ions.

Highlights: • The carbon quantum dots (CQDs) synthesized with PEI showed an extraordinary reducibility. • The Ag/CQDs composite was prepared by using CQDs as reducing and stabilizing agent. • A simple Ag/CQDs composite-based dual-signal probe was provided for Hg{sup 2+} detection. • The proposed strategy shows a potential for detecting Hg{sup 2+} in real water samples. - Abstract: A stable silver nanoparticles/carbon quantum dots (Ag/CQDs) composite was prepared by using CQDs as reducing and stabilizing agent. The CQDs synthesized with polyethyleneimine (PEI) showed an extraordinary reducibility. When Hg{sup 2+} was presented in the Ag/CQDs composite solution, a color change from yellow to colorless was observed, accompanied by a shift of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band and decrease in absorbance of the Ag/CQDs composite. On the basis of the further studies on TEM, XPS and XRD analysis, the possible mechanism is attributed to the formation of a silver-mercury amalgam. Hence, a two dimensional sensing platform for Hg{sup 2+} detection was constructed upon the Ag/CQDs composite. Based on the change of absorbance, a good linear relationship was obtained from 0.5 to 50 μM for Hg{sup 2+}. And the limit of detection for Hg{sup 2+} was as low as 85 nM, representing high sensitivity to Hg{sup 2+}. More importantly, the proposed method also exhibits a good selectivity toward Hg{sup 2+} over other metal ions. Besides, this strategy demonstrates practicability for the detection of Hg{sup 2+} in real water samples with satisfactory results.

Highlights: • Fabrication of films through the Reactive Electron Beam deposition technique. • Perfect and reproducible Ag nanoclustered host matrix. • Potential technological applicability in thermoelectric devices. - Abstract: We have deposited five periodic SiO{sub 2}/SiO{sub 2} + Ag multi-nano-layered films on fused silica substrates using physical vapor deposition technique. The co-deposited SiO{sub 2}:Ag layers were 2.7–5 nm and SiO{sub 2} buffer layers were 1–15 nm thick. Total thickness was between 30 and 105 nm. Different concentrations of Ag, ranging from 1.5 to 50 molecular% with respect to SiO{sub 2} were deposited to determine relevant rates of nanocluster formation and occurrence of interaction between nanoclusters. Using interferometry as well as in situ thickness monitoring, we measured the thickness of the layers. The concentration of Ag in SiO{sub 2} was measured with Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS). To nucleate Ag nanoclusters, 5 MeV cross plane Si ion bombardments were performed with fluence varying between 5 × 10{sup 14} and 1 × 10{sup 16} ions/cm{sup 2} values. Optical absorption spectra were recorded in the range of 200–900 nm in order to monitor the Ag nanocluster formation in the thin films. Thermal annealing treatment at different temperatures was applied as second method to form varying size of nanoclusters. The physical properties of formed super lattice were criticized for thermoelectric applications.

For the first time, sub 10 nm sized intermetallic Ag_4Sn particles are prepared via an aqueous synthesis route in order to improve the electrochemical performance of pure Sn nanoparticles. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis are used to investigate the morphology, crystal structure and particle surface of the as prepared Ag_4Sn nanoparticles. In addition, galvanostatic cycling and cyclic voltammetry measurements are carried out to characterize the electrochemical behavior of the particles. Upon lithiation and de-lithiation a phase transformation from Ag_4Sn to Ag_3Sn is observed, which has not been reported so far. The intermetallic nanoparticle-based anode delivers a specific de-lithiation capacity of 460 mAhg"−"1 for more than 150 cycles.

The emergence of dislocations and hardening of LiF crystals irradiated to high doses with {sup 12}C ions have been investigated using chemical etching, AFM, nanoindentation, and thermal annealing. At fluences ensuring the overlapping of tracks (Φ ≥6 x 10{sup 11} ions/cm{sup 2}), the formation of dislocation-rich structure and ion-induced hardening is observed. High-fluence (10{sup 15} ions/cm{sup 2}) irradiation with {sup 12}C ions causes accumulation of extended defects and induces hardening comparable to that reached by heavy ions despite of large differences in ion mass, energy, energy loss, and track morphology. The depth profiles of hardness indicate on a notable contribution of elastic collision mechanism (nuclear loss) in the damage production and hardening. The effect manifests at the end part of the ion range and becomes significant at high fluences (≥10{sup 14} ions/cm{sup 2}). (orig.)

Operation of the AGS Complex, comprising a 200 MeV Linac, the 1.5 GeV Booster (400 MeV/amu heavy ions) which is under construction, and the AGS, requires service of multiple uses with different beam requirements. Local Linac users, Booster commissioning with protons and heavy ions, and the AGS physics program and accelerator studies must run concurrently in various combinations. A new timing system is being built which will distribute serially encoded events derived from real-time and magnetic field clocks to each accelerator. The master timing of the supercycle will be managed centrally with encoded reset events determining the assigned user for each pulse. Operational aspects of the design of this system will be described, along with the principal control system modifications necessary to implement this mode of operation. 4 refs., 3 figs

In continuation to our earlier studies where we have shown room temperature ferromagnetism observed in TiO 2 and Co-doped TiO 2 (CTO) thin films independent of their phase (Mohanty et al 2012 J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 45 325301), here the modifications in structure and magnetic properties in CTO thin films using 100 MeV Ag 7+ ion irradiation are reported. Owing to the important role of defects in tailoring the magnetic properties of the material, we vary the ion fluence from 5 × 10 11 to 1 × 10 12 ions cm −2 to create post-deposition defects. While the film deposited under 0.1 mTorr oxygen partial pressure retains its crystallinity showing radiation-resistant behaviour even at a fluence of 1 × 10 12 ions cm −2 , films deposited under 1 to 300 mTorr oxygen partial pressure becomes almost amorphous at the same fluence. Using Poisson's law, the diameter of the amorphized region surrounding the ion path is calculated to be ∼4.2 nm from the x-ray diffraction peak intensity ((1 1 0) for rutile phase) as a function of ion fluence. The saturation magnetization (M s ) decreases exponentially similar to the decrease in x-ray peak intensity with fluence, indicating magnetic disordered region surrounding the ion path. The diameter of the magnetic disordered region is found to be ∼6.6 nm which is larger than the diameter of the amorphized latent track. Therefore, it is confirmed that swift heavy ion irradiation induces a more significant magnetic disorder than the structural disorder. (paper)

A series of Ag+-Cu2+ binary mixtures with different Ag/Cu ratios were supported on mordenite with different Si/Al ratios and were subsequently reduced under hydrogen in the temperature range 323K - 473K. Ag and Cu K-edge X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) was conducted on these systems in-situ to monitor the reduction species formed and the kinetics of their reduction. In-situ XANES clearly demonstrates that the formation of silver particles is severely impeded by the addition of copper and that the copper is converted from Cu(II) to Cu(I) during reduction and completely reverts back to Cu(II) during cooling. There are no indications at any stage of the formation of bimetallic Ag-Cu clusters. Interestingly, the Ag/Cu ratio appears to have no influence of the reduction kinetics and reduction products formed with only the highest Si/Al ratio (MR = 128) investigated during this study having an influence on the reduction and stability to air oxidation

Autoionization spectra of He following excitation by 1 to 3 MeV H + , He + , and Li/sup n+/ (n = 1,2,3) have been measured as a function of observation angle. The (2p 2 ) 1 D and (2s2p) 1 P resonances have been examined and a strong dependence on projectile velocities, charge state and observation angle was found

Autoionization spectra of He following excitation by 1 to 3 MeV H/sup +/, He/sup +/, and Li/sup n+/ (n = 1,2,3) have been measured as a function of observation angle. The (2p/sup 2/)/sup 1/D and (2s2p)/sup 1/P resonances have been examined and a strong dependence on projectile velocities, charge state and observation angle was found.

The effects of silver hexafluorophosphate (AgPF 6 ) as an electrolyte additive on the electrochemical behaviors of graphite anode are systematically studied by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge-discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The surface structure and composition of graphite electrode after electrochemical cycles are investigated through scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It is found that Ag nanoparticles derived from electrochemical reduction of Ag + are homogenously distributed on the graphite surface. Significant improvements on the discharge capacity, rate behavior, and low-temperature performance of graphite electrode are obtained. The reasons are associated with the decreased resistances of solid-electrolyte interface and charge-transfer process, which improve the electrode kinetics for Li + intercalation/deintercalation

Porous submicro-structures of Ag, Pd, Cu, Ni, and Bi with high surface area have been prepared by the reduction of hydrazine in glycerol-ethanol solution at room temperature or 120-180 Degree-Sign C. Phase purity, morphology, and specific surface area have been characterized. The reactions probably undergo three different mechanisms: simple reduction for Ag and Pd, coordination-then-reduction for Cu and Ni, and hydrolysis-then-reduction for Bi. The reductant hydrazine also plays an important role to the formation of the porous submicro-structure. The reaction temperature influences the size of the constituent particles and the overall architecture of the submicro-structure so as to influence the surface area value. The as-prepared porous metals have shown the second largest surface area ever reported, which are smaller than those made by the reduction of NaBH{sub 4}, but larger than those made by hard or soft template methods. - Graphical abstract: Porous submicro-structures of Ag, Pd, Cu, Ni, and Bi with high surface area have been prepared by the reduction of hydrazine in the glycerol-ethanol solution at room temperature or 120-180 Degree-Sign C. The reactions undergo different mechanisms: simple reduction for Ag and Pd, coordination-then-reduction for Cu and Ni, and hydrolysis-then-reduction for Bi. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Syntheses of porous Ag, Pd, Cu, Ni, and Bi with high surface area. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Ag and Pd undergo simple reduction. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Cu and Ni undergo coordination-then-reduction. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Bi undergoes hydrolysis-then-reduction. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The as-prepared metals have shown the second largest surface area ever reported.

The growth of silver clusters in co-sputtered SiO sub 2 :Ag films under irradiation with increasing fluences of 1.5 MeV He or 3 MeV Au ions is investigated by recording spectra of optical extinction. The analysis of surface plasmon resonances in these very small clusters on basis of Mie theory permits to estimate more precisely their mean size than TEM images. A linear increase of the mean cluster size with the energy deposited by ions in electronic excitations and little effect of collision cascades are observed. The growth kinetics is ascribed to a process of desorption/re-adsorption of Ag atoms at the surface of clusters.

A highly sensitive electrochemical sensor made of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) coated with a Langmuir-Blodgett film (LB) containing polyaniline (PAn) doped with p-toluenesulfonic acid (PTSA) (LB/PAn-PTSA/GCE) has been used for the detection of trace concentrations of Ag + . UV-vis absorption spectra indicated that the PAn was doped by PTSA. The surface morphology of the PAn LB film was characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The electrochemical properties of this LB/PAn-PTSA/GCE were studied using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry. The LB/PAn-PTSA/GCE was used as a voltammetric sensor for determination of trace Ag + at pH 5.0 using linear scanning stripping voltammetry. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the stripping current was proportional to the Ag + concentration over the range from 6.0 x 10 -10 mol L -1 to 1.0 x 10 -6 mol L -1 , with a detection limit of 4.0 x 10 -10 mol L -1 . The high sensitivity, selectivity, and stability of this LB/PAn-PTSA/GCE also demonstrated its practical utility for simple, rapid and economical determination of Ag + in water samples.

The complexation abilities of different thiacalix[4]arene derivatives towards some rare earth metal ions, metallic pollutants, and noble metals have been investigated in liquid-liquid experiments. Thiacalix[4]arene dissolved in chloroform effectively extracts Pd(II) (in acidic chloride media) and also Ag(I), Cd(II), Sm(III) and Ce(III), all buffered at pH 6 or 8. The modification of this compound to form an amide derivative results in an effective extraction of noble metals, ranked according to Au(III) > Pd(II) > Pt(IV) > Ag(I). Moreover, a supported liquid membrane system for silver transport has been developed based on thiacalix[4]arene dissolved in NPOE, and parameters affecting its efficiency have been investigated, such as the stripping composition and the pH of the feed solution. Finally, the selectivity of the membrane system has been evaluated by using as feed sources mixtures of silver and other metal ion000.

Adhesive diamond-like carbon (DLC) films can be prepared by plasma source ion implantation (PSII), which is also suitable for the treatment of the inner surface of a tube. Incorporation of a metal into the DLC film provides a possibility to change the characteristics of the DLC film. One source for the metal is DC sputtering. In this study PSII and DC sputtering were combined to prepare DLC films containing low concentrations of Ag on the interior surfaces of stainless steel tubes. A DLC film was deposited using a C2H4 plasma with the help of an auxiliary electrode inside of the tube. This electrode was then used as a target for the DC sputtering. A mixture of the gases Ar and C2H4 was used to sputter the silver. By changing the gas flow ratios and process time, the resulting Ag content of the films could be varied. Sample characterizations were performed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, secondary ion mass spectrometry, atomic force microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Additionally, a ball-on-disk test was performed to investigate the tribological properties of the films. The antibacterial activity was determined using Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.

The composition and structural properties of a single crystal of the Cu-Ag-In-Se system are analyzed. Laue diffraction shows a single crystal while XRD diffraction and EDAX composition indicate two crystalline phases and two compositions close to Cu{sub 0.97}Ag{sub 0.03}In{sub 1.75}Se{sub 2.84} and Cu{sub 0.95}Ag{sub 0.05}In{sub 2}Se{sub 3.5} with lattice parameter, a = 5.770 Angstrom-Sign and a = 5.790 Angstrom-Sign and c/a {approx_equal} 2.0 respectively. Impedance spectroscopy is carried out at temperatures up to 120 Degree-Sign C in a sequential annealing in order to obtain the electrical properties. A motion of two ions is observed and two ionic resistances and activation energies are computed in the 0.15-0.17 eV range and 0.52 eV, respectively. In the successive annealing, the impedance spectra change, probably due to a non-reversible process in the sample. After the impedance analysis, composition measurements and the structural analysis show a massive motion of Ag + Cu and In ions in the slice. These motions produce different phases with very different compositions in different regions. Due to the high disorder in Cu and In sublattices and to the high number of (2V{sub Cu} + In{sub Cu}) defect pairs, these ions are easily moved, leading to the formation of an InSe crystalline phase. Ions are rearranged in the chalcopyrite phase region, along with the transformation of In{sup 3+} into In{sup 2+} chemical species accompanied by the corresponding electron conduction capture. These changes are responsible of the non-reversibility of the process. These results would allow to understand the highest solar energy conversion efficiencies of up to 20.3% observed in CuIn{sub 1-x}Ga{sub x}Se{sub 2} (CIGS) thin films obtained using a three-stage co-evaporation process. In these films, the CIGS layer reaches a copper rich composition and a quasi-liquid Cu{sub 2-y}Se phase is formed which enhances crystallization of the absorber layer and also affects the distribution of

This paper reports a facile synthesis of molybdenum disulfide nanosheets/silver nanoparticles (MoS_2/Ag) hybrid and its use as an effective matrix in negative ion matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The nanohybrid exerts a strong synergistic effect, leading to high performance detection of small molecule analytes including amino acids, peptides, fatty acids and drugs. The enhancement of laser desorption/ionization (LDI) efficiency is largely attributed to the high surface roughness and large surface area for analyte adsorption, better dispersibility, increased thermal conductivity and enhanced UV energy absorption as compared to pure MoS_2. Moreover, both Ag nanoparticles and the edge of the MoS_2 layers function as deprotonation sites for proton capture, facilitating the charging process in negative ion mode and promoting formation of negative ions. As a result, the MoS_2/Ag nanohybrid proves to be a highly attractive matrix in MALDI-TOF MS, with desired features such as high desorption/ionization efficiency, low fragmentation interference, high salt tolerance, and no sweet-spots for mass signal. These characteristic properties allowed for simultaneous analysis of eight different drugs and quantification of acetylsalicylic acid in the spiked human serum. This work demonstrates for the first time the fabrication and application of a novel MoS_2/Ag hybrid, and provides a new platform for use in the rapid and high throughput analysis of small molecules by mass spectrometry. - Highlights: • MoS_2/Ag nanohybrid was applied as a novel matrix in negative-ion MALDI-TOF MS. • The MoS_2/Ag nanohybrid exerted synergistic effect on the detection of small molecules. • The MoS_2/Ag nanohybrid showed good signal reproducibility and low background interferences comparing to organic matrices. • MoS_2/Ag allows simultaneous analysis of multiple drugs and quantification of acetylsalicylic acid in spiked serum samples.

K-Shell x-ray production cross sections for the target elements Sc, Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni were measured for incident /sup 10/B ions over the energy range 4.0 to 38.0 MeV. The cross section data were compared to the theoretical predictions of the binary encounter approximation (BEA); the plane wave born approximation (PWBA); and the PWBA modified to include corrections for increased binding energy (B), Coulomb deflection of the incident ion (C), orbital perturbation due to polarization (P), and relativistic effects (R). In addition, fluorescence yield variations (W/sub K/) and contributions to the cross sections from electron capture (EC) were included. It was found that the predictions of the fully modified PWBA with contributions from electron capture and fluorescence yield variations included provided the best fit to the experimental data over the entire energy range for each target element. The K..beta../K..cap alpha.. x-ray intensity ratios were compared to theoretical values that assume single hole ionization, and the x-ray energy shifts presented as a function of the energy of the incident ion. These two measurements provided confirmation of the occurrence of multiple ionization for /sup 10/B bombardment of target elements in the range 21 less than or equal to Z/sub 2/ less than or equal to 28.

Mesoporous structure of silica is determined by the type of template, but the introduction of functional groups during the synthesis has additional influence. The structure of SBA-15 may be violated by the introduction of long functions, such as ≡Si(CH2)3NHC(=S)NHC2H5. These ethylthiocarbamidepropyl groups can form complexes with metal ions in thiol or thione tautomeric forms. We determined that the 2D hexagonal p6 mm structure is preserved for SBA-15 with thiourea groups at maximal TEOS:trifunctional silane ratio (mol) = 10:2, which was confirmed by TEM and by the presence of an intense reflex in the small-angle region of diffractograms of the final product. It was shown that the obtained sorbents possess high kinetic characteristics. The experimental data fit pseudo-second-order kinetic equation, but the rate constants depend on the content of functional groups in the surface layer. Template Pluronic P-123 defines the porosity of functional mesoporous silica materials even at increasing content of trifunctional silane in the initial solution. Infrared spectroscopy analysis showed that thione form of thiourea ligand is prevalent on the surface of pores of mesoporous samples. However, during the sorption of silver(I) ions, there are both thione and thiol forms on the surface. Thione form is transformed into thiol with increasing concentration of mercury(II) ions in the sorption solution. Adsorption experiments showed that the SBA-15 silicas functionalized with ethylthiocarbamidepropyl groups had high selectivity for silver(I) ions and could concentrate Ag(I) ions from metal ions mixture at pH 2.

We present the first measurements of energy-dependent light output from carbon recoils in the liquid organic scintillator EJ-309. For this measurement, neutrons were produced by an associated particle deuterium-tritium generator and scattered by a volume of EJ-309 scintillator into stop detectors positioned at four fixed angles. Carbon recoils in the scintillator were isolated using triple coincidence among the associated particle detector, scatter detector, and stop detectors. The kinematics of elastic and inelastic scatter allowed data collection at eight specific carbon recoil energies between 2.86 and 3.95 MeV. We found the light output caused by carbon recoils in this energy range to be approximately 1.14% of that caused by electrons of the same energy, which is comparable to the values reported for other liquid organic scintillators. A comparison of the number of scattered neutrons at each angle to a Monte Carlo N-Particle eXtended simulation indicates that the ENDF/B-VII.1 evaluation of differential cross sections for 14.1 MeV neutrons on carbon has discrepancies with the experiment as large as 55%, whereas those reported in the JENDL-4.0u evaluation agree with experiment.

New transmutation-activation nuclear data libraries for neutrons and protons up to 150 MeV have been created. These data are important for simulation calculations of radioactivity, and transmutation, in accelerator-driven systems such as the production of tritium (APT) and the transmutation of waste (ATW). They can also be used to obtain cross section predictions for the production of proton-rich isotopes in (p,xn) reactions, for radioactive ion beam (RIB) target-design studies. The nuclear data in these libraries stem from two sources: for neutrons below 20 MeV, we use data from the European activation and transmutation file, EAF97; For neutrons above 20 MeV and for protons at all energies we have isotope production cross sections with the nuclear model code HMS-ALICE. This code applies the Monte Carlo Hybrid Simulation theory, and the Weisskopf-Ewing theory, to calculate cross sections. In a few cases, the HMS-ALICE results were replaced by those calculated using the GNASH code for the Los Alamos LA150 transport library. The resulting two libraries, AF150.N and AF150.P, consist of 766 nuclides each and are represented in the ENDF6-format. An outline is given of the new representation of the data. The libraries have been checked with ENDF6 preprocessing tools and have been processed with NJOY into libraries for the Los Alamos transmutation/radioactivity code CINDER. Numerous benchmark figures are presented for proton-induced excitation functions of various isotopes compared with measurements. Such comparisons are useful for validation purposes, and for assessing the accuracy of the evaluated data. These evaluated libraries are available on the WWW at: http://t2.lanl.gov/. 21 refs

Injection of multi-MeV molecular hydrogen ions into a magnetic mirror or magnetic mirror well can lead to the production of an ion (or proton-E) Layer with prospects for fusion power generation. This involves: (1) slow (exponential or Lorentz) trapping of protons from dissociation and/or ionization of H 2 + ions; (2) electron cyclotron drive of the electronic temperature to reduce the electron stopping power; (3) production of an Ion-Layer, E-Core plasma configuration having prospects for cold fuel feed with in situ axial acceleration of say D 2 + ions into the negative E-Core; (4) ignited advanced fuel burns in the resulting high beta plasma with excess (free) neutrons available for energy multiplication of fissile fuel breeding; (5) development of a nuclear dynamo with fuel feed, plasma energy, and Ion-Layer current maintenance by fusion products; and (6) a natural divertor end loss of ashes with charge separation permitting a natural direct electrical conversion prospect

The 107 , 109 Ag(p, t) 105 , 107 Ag reactions have been studied at 30 MeV bombarding energy. Tritons were detected with a 60 cm position-sensitive wire proportional counter backed by a plastic scintillator in the focal plane of a quadrupole-dipole-dipole-dipole (QDDD) spectrograph. Multiplet structure, interpretable as the coupling of a 2p 1 / 2 proton to vibrational core states, was observed in both nuclei. In addition, some 50 levels in each nucleus were seen below about 3 MeV of excitation with a resolution of 10 keV. DWBA calculations with simple two particle configurations worked rather well and permitted the determination of L transfers. A considerable amount of (p, t) strength in the region from 2-3 MeV of excitation in each nucleus was observed, not all of which could be associated with expected weak coupling to the 3 - core state

K-Shell x-ray production cross sections for the target elements Sc, Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni were measured for incident 10 B ions over the energy range 4.0 to 38.0 MeV. The cross section data were compared to the theoretical predictions of the binary encounter approximation (BEA); the plane wave born approximation (PWBA); and the PWBA modified to include corrections for increased binding energy (B), Coulomb deflection of the incident ion (C), orbital perturbation due to polarization (P), and relativistic effects (R). In addition, fluorescence yield variations (W/sub K/) and contributions to the cross sections from electron capture (EC) were included. It was found that the predictions of the fully modified PWBA with contributions from electron capture and fluorescence yield variations included provided the best fit to the experimental data over the entire energy range for each target element. The Kβ/Kα x-ray intensity ratios were compared to theoretical values that assume single hole ionization, and the x-ray energy shifts presented as a function of the energy of the incident ion. These two measurements provided confirmation of the occurrence of multiple ionization for 10 B bombardment of target elements in the range 21 less than or equal to Z 2 less than or equal to 28

The effect of adding TeO(2) into (100 - x)[0.5Ag(2)O - 0.1B(2)O(3) - 0.4P(2)O(5)] - xTeO(2), with 0-80 mol % TeO(2) glass, on the structural changes and electrical properties has been investigated. DSC and thermodilatomery were used to study their thermal behavior, structure was studied by Raman spectroscopy, and electrical properties have been studied by impedance spectroscopy over a wide temperature and frequency range. The introduction of TeO(2) as a third glass former to the glass network causes the structural transformation from TeO(3) (tp) to TeO(4) (tbp) which contributes to the changes in conductivity. The glasses with low TeO(2) content show only a slow decrease in dc conductivity with addition of TeO(2) due to the increase of the number of nonbridging oxygens, which increases the mobility of Ag(+) ions. The steep decrease in conductivity for glasses containing more than 40 mol % TeO(2) is a result of decrease of the Ag(2)O content and stronger cross-linkage in glass network through the formation of more Te-(eq)O(ax)-Te bonds in TeO(4) tbp units. The glasses obey ac conductivity scaling with respect to temperature, implying that the dynamic process is not temperature dependent. On the other hand, the scaling of the spectra for different glass compositions showed the deviations from the Summerfield scaling because of the local structural disorder which occurs as a result of the structural modifications in the tellurite glass network.

Sub-millimeter wall thickness is foreseen for the vacuum tubes in the magnets of the superconducting dipoles of the SIS100 and SIS300 of the FAIR Project. The Bragg peak of the energy deposition by the U ions in these walls may lie dangerously close to the superconducting cables. Thus the precise knowledge of the dE/dx profile is essential for estimating the heat load by the lost ions in the vicinity of the superconducting wires. Here we present the results of the measurement of the U ion beam energy deposition profile in Cu and stainless steel targets and compare the measured data with the Monte-Carlo simulation using the SHIELD code.

Highlights: • This paper discusses the SHI induced effect on thermoluminescence properties. • Ni{sup 7+}, Ag{sup 9+} and Au{sup 8+} ions are chosen for irradiation purpose. • Comparison between these ions effect is carried out. • Au{sup 8+} ion is more pronounced and suitable for space dosimetry in Y{sub 2}O{sub 3}:Tb{sup 3+}. -- Abstract: This paper reports on a comparative study on the structural and thermoluminescence (TL) modifications of Y{sub 2}O{sub 3}:Tb{sup 3+} phosphor induced by 150 MeV Ni{sup 7+}, 120 MeVAg{sup 9+} and 110 MeV Au{sup 8+} swift heavy ions in the fluence range 1 × 10{sup 11}–1 × 10{sup 13} ions/cm{sup 2}. SRIM calculations were performed in order to correlate the change in TL properties of various ions irradiated phosphors. It shows that the 110 MeV Au{sup 8+} ions created a high concentration of defects. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic studies confirm the loss of crystallinity of the phosphors after ions irradiation, which is high in the case of the Au{sup 8+} ion irradiation. Structural refinement by Rietveld method yields the various structural parameters of the ion irradiated phosphors. TL glow curves of the ion irradiated phosphors show a small shift in the position of the peaks along with an increase in intensity with the increase in ions fluence. Trapping parameters of the ions irradiated phosphors were calculated from the TL data using various glow curve analysis methods. The results can be correlated on the basis of the linear energy transfer of the irradiated ions. These obtained results can be used successfully in heavy ions dosimetry for space craft and air crew.

Multifragment events for IMFs (3 ≤ Z ≤ 12) with multiplicity up to four have been observed in the reaction of 0.90 and 3.6 GeV 3 He ions with nat Ag nuclei. Events are detected in which IMFs account for up to 75% of the total charge of the system and extend up to total kinetic energies of 400 MeV. Fragment energy spectra and angular distributions are found to be dependent on event multiplicity

The ion-induced desorption experiment, installed in the CERN Heavy Ion Accelerator (LINAC 3), has been used to measure molecular desorption yields for 4.2 MeV/u lead ions impacting on different accelerator-type vacuum chambers. In order to study the effect of the surface oxide layer on the gas desorption, gold-, silver-, and palladium-coated 316LN stainless steel chambers and similarly prepared samples were tested for desorption at LINAC 3 and analysed for chemical composition by X-ray Photoemission Spectroscopy (XPS). The large effective desorption yield of 2 x 10**4 molecules/ion, previously measured for uncoated, vacuum fired stainless steel, was reduced after noble metal coating by up to 2 orders of magnitude. In addition, the effectiveness of beam scrubbing with heavy ions and the consequence of a subsequent venting on the desorption yields of a beam-scrubbed vacuum chamber are described. Practical consequences for the vacuum system of the future Low Energy Ion Ring (LEIR) are discussed.

Full Text Available Modeling of high-Z ion irradiated-induced damages on fuel retention inside tungsten (W material has been performed in this work. The upgraded Hydrogen Isotope Inventory Processes Code (HIIPC is applied to model the deuterium (D retention inside pre-damaged W during exposed to low-energy D flux, and the W is pre-irradiated by 20 MeV W-ion before exposed to D flux. Three types of trap, i.e. mono-vacancies, dislocations and grain boundary vacancies, are considered in the present model. The mono-vacancy defects induced by energetic W ions are calculated by SRIM code. First, the model is validated against the available experimental data under the same D flux exposure conditions, showing the reasonable agreement. Then, the effect of radiation-induced defects produced by pre-exposed energetic W-ion with different energy and fluence on the fuel retention are studied, confirming that the irradiation-induced traps play a dominated role on the fuel retention in the surface of the material (∼ micrometer. Finally, the effects of different type of defect, D fluence, and wall temperature on the fuel retention are discussed systemically, and these modeling results are in well agreement with the previous studies.

The Al{sub 0.33}Ga{sub 0.77}N/Al{sub 0.14}Ga{sub 0.86}N based double heterostructure was irradiated using Si{sup 9+} ion at room temperature (RT) and liquid nitrogen temperature (LNT) with four dissimilar ion fluence. The effect of Si{sup 9+} ion irradiation in dislocation densities and in-plane strain of GaN layer were discussed. The in-plane strain values of Al{sub x}Ga{sub 1-x}N layers were calculated from asymmetric reciprocal space mapping (RSM). The surface modification and the variation in phase shift on Al{sub 0.33}Ga{sub 0.77}N surfaces due to the irradiation were measured by Electrostatic Force Microscopy (EFM). The capacitance of the tip-sample system was determined from EFM. The band edge emissions of heterostructures were measured by the room temperature phototluminescence (PL) and the shift in the Al{sub 0.14}Ga{sub 0.86}N active layer emission peaks towards the low energy side at low fluence ion irradiation has been noted. - Highlights: • Effects of Si{sup 9+} ion irradiation on AlGaN double heterostructures were investigated. • Dislocation densities of GaN reduced at liquid nitrogen temperature irradiation. • Variation in phase shift on Al{sub 0.33}Ga{sub 0.77}N surfaces was measured by EFM. • Capacitance per unit area values of AFM tip-sample surface system were calculated. • Si{sup 9+} irradiations play an important role to tune the energy gap in Al{sub 0.14}Ga{sub 0.86}N.

The structure of AgA(s)S2 glass, which has a broad range of applications, is still not well understood and a systematic mass spectrometric analysis of AgA(s)S2 glass is currently not available. Elucidation of the structure should help in the development of this material. The AgA(s)S2 glass was prepared by the melt-quenched technique. Laser desorption ionisation (LDI) using quadrupole ion trap time-of-flight mass spectrometry (QIT-TOFMS) was used to follow the generation of Ag(m)As(n)S(x) clusters. The stoichiometry of the clusters generated was determined via collision-induced dissociation (CID) and modelling of isotopic patterns. The AgA(s)S2 glass was characterised by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. The LDI of AgA(s)S2 glass leads to the formation of unary (Ag+/− and As(3+)) species, 38 binary (As(n)S(x), Ag(m)S(x)), and 98 ternary (Ag(m)As(n)S(x)) singly charged clusters. The formation of silver-rich nano-grains during AgA(s)S2 glass synthesis has been identified using TEM analysis and also verified by QIT-TOFMS. TOFMS was shown to be a useful technique to study the generation of Ag(m)As(n)S(x )clusters. SEM, TEM and EDX analysis proved that the structure of AgA(s)S2 glass is ‘grain-like’ where grains are either: (1) Silver-rich ‘islands’ (Ag(m,) m up to 39) connected by arsenic and/or sulfur or arsenic sulfide chains or (2) silver sulfide (Ag2S)m (m = 9-20) clusters also similarly inter-connected. This obtained structural information may be useful for the development of ultra-high-density phase-change storage and memory devices using this kind of glass as a base.

Absolute, total, single, and multiple electron loss cross sections are measured for 1.4 MeV/u U 4,6,10+ ions colliding with neon and argon atoms and nitrogen molecules. It is found that the cross sections all have the same dependence on the number of electrons lost and that multiplying the cross sections by the initial number of electrons in the 6s, 6p, and 5f shells yields good agreement between the different projectiles. By combining the present data with previous measurements made at the same velocity, it is shown that the scaled cross sections slowly decrease in magnitude for incoming charge states between 1 and 10 whereas the cross sections for higher charge state ions fall off much more rapidly. (orig.)

Hillock heights on mica irradiated with MeV C{sub 60} ions have been investigated systematically. Results show that the small range of secondary particles along the track plays a crucial role in defect production. (author) figs., tab., refs.

The influence of the previously produced deformation in silicon structure by means of macro-scratch surface covering on the sputtering processes under following irradiation by swift $^{86}$Kr ions is studied. The significant leveling of surface relief of irradiated silicon was observed using atomic force microscopy method (AFM), in particular it takes place for smoothing of micro-scratches produced by mechanical polishing of silicon initial plates. The experimental studies of irradiated surface allowed one to conclude that it is impossible to explain the surface changes only by elastic cascade mechanism as it was calculated using the computer code TRIM-98, because the calculated sputtered layers of silicon at ion fluence $\\Phi_{\\rm Kr} = 1{.}3\\cdot10^{14}$ ion/cm$^{2}$ should be $\\Delta H_{\\rm Sputtering}^{\\rm Kr} = 5{.}5\\cdot10^{-3 }${\\AA}. Correspondingly, the surface changes should be explained by one of mechanisms of inelastic sputtering. The macro-cracks on the surface were observed near the scratches. I...

Tailoring of nanostructures with energetic ion beams has become an active area of research leading to the fundamental understanding of ion-solid interactions at nanoscale regime and with possible applications in the near future. Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and asymmetric X-ray Bragg-rocking curve experimental methods have been used to characterize ion-induced effects in nanostructures. The possibility of surface and sub-surface/interface alloying at nano-scale regime, ion-beam induced embedding, crater formation, sputtering yield variations for systems with isolated nanoislands, semi-continuous and continuous films of noble metals (Au, Ag) deposited on single crystalline silicon will be reviewed. MeV-ion induced changes in specified Au-nanoislands on silicon substrate are tracked as a function of ion fluence using ex situ TEM. Strain induced in the bulk silicon substrate surface due to 1.5 MeV Au 2+ and C 2+ ion beam irradiation is determined by using HRTEM and asymmetric Bragg X-ray rocking curve methods. Preliminary results on 1.5 MeV Au 2+ ion-induced effects in nanoislands of Co deposited on silicon substrate will be discussed

Ag-SiO 2 -Ag sandwich nanostructures were prepared by a facile one-pot synthesis method. The Ag core, SiO 2 shell and Ag nanoparticle shell were all synthesized with polyvinylpyrrolidone, catalysed by ammonia, in the one-pot reaction. The polyvinylpyrrolidone, acting as a smart reducing agent, reduced the Ag + to Ag cores and Ag shells separately. Furthermore, the polyvinylpyrrolidone served as a protective agent to prevent the silver cores from aggregating. The SiO 2 shell and outer layer Ag nanoparticles were obtained when tetraethyl orthosilicate and ammonia were added to the silver core solution. Ammonia, acting as the catalyst, accelerated the hydrolysis of the tetraethyl orthosilicate to SiO 2 , which coated the silver cores. Furthermore, Ag(NH 3 ) 2 + ions were formed when aqueous ammonia was added to the solution, which increased the reduction capability. Then the polyvinylpyrrolidone reduced the Ag(NH 3 ) 2 + ions to small Ag nanoparticles on the surface of the Ag-SiO 2 and formed Ag-SiO 2 -Ag sandwich structures with a standard deviation of less than 4%. This structure effectively prevented the Ag nanoparticles on the silica surface from aggregating. Furthermore, the Ag-SiO 2 -Ag sandwich structures showed good catalysis properties due to the large surface area/volume value and activity of surface atoms of Ag particles.

The AGS polarized H - source is now operational. During a month-long experimental physics run in July 1984, pulses equivalent to 15 μA x 300 μs (approx. 3 x 10 10 protons) were injected into the RFQ preaccelerator. Beam polarization, measured at 200 MeV, was approx. 75%. After the run, a program to increase the H - yield of the source was begun and significant progress has been made. The H - current is now frequently 20 to 30 μA. A description of the source and some details of our operating experience are given. We also briefly describe the improvement program

Currently, all the commercially available nuclear graphite grades are being made from two different cokes, i.e., petroleum coke or coal-tar pitch coke, and a coal-tar pitch binder. Of these, since the coke composes most of the graphite volume, i.e., > 70 %, it is understood that a physical, chemical, thermal, and mechanical property as well as an irradiation-induced property change will be strongly dependent on the type of coke. To obtain first-hand information on the effects of the coke type, i.e., petroleum or pitch, on the irradiation sensitivity of graphite, specimens made of IG-110 of petroleum coke and IG-430 of pitch coke were irradiated up to ∼ 19 dpa by 3 MeV C + at room temperature, and the irradiation-induced changes in the hardness, Young's modulus, Raman spectrum, and oxidation properties were characterized. Results of the TEM show that the size and density of the Mrozowski cracks appeared to be far larger and higher in the IG-110 than the IG-430. Results of the hardness test revealed a slightly higher increase in the IG-430 than the IG-110 by around 10 dpa, and the Raman spectrum measurement showed a higher (FWHM) D /(FWHM) G value for IG-430 for 0.02 ∼ 0.25 dpa. Both the hardness and Raman measurement may imply a higher irradiation sensitivity of the IG-430 than the IG-110. Results of the Young's modulus measurements showed a large data scattering, which prevented us from estimating the differences between the grades. Oxidation experiments using a TG-DTA under a flow of dry air/He = 2.5 % (flow rate: 40 CC/min) at 750 and 1000 deg C show that the IG-110 of the petroleum coke exhibits a far higher oxidation rate than the IG-430. The discrepancy between the oxidation rate of the two grades increased with an increase in the oxidation temperature and the dose. Oxidized surface pore area was larger for IG-110. Judging from the results obtained from the present experimental conditions, the irradiation sensitivity appeared to be dependent on the degree

A systematic investigation of radiation hardness of Schottky barrier diodes and GaN epitaxial layers is carried out by employing in-situ electrical resistivity and cross sectional transmission electron microscopy (XTEM) microstructure measurements. The change in the current transport mechanism of Au/n-GaN Schottky barrier diodes due to irradiation is reported. The role of irradiation temperature and ion type was also investigated. Creation of damage is studied in low and medium electron energy loss regimes by selecting different ions, Ag (200 MeV) and O (100 MeV) at various fluences at two irradiation temperatures (80 K and 300 K). GaN resistivity increases up to 6 orders of magnitude under heavy Agions. Light O ion irradiation has a much lower influence on sheet resistance. The presence of isolated defect clusters in irradiated GaN epilayers is evident in XTEM investigation which is explained on the basis of the thermal spike model.

Super ion conducting glasses of composition D%AgI-(100-D)%[MAg2O-F{(F1)B2O3- (F2)TeO2}]; D=10.0 to 60.0 in steps of 10.0 for a fixed values of F1 (0.4), F2 (0.6) which are glass network formers, fixed values of modifier M(0.667), F (0.333) and D is dopant salt which was varied. These glasses were prepared by melt quenching technique. XRD spectra taken for all the samples. Electrical characterization was done in terms of AC and DC conductivities. DC and AC conductivities at room temperature increased from 10-5 to 10-1 scm-1 and DC activation energy (Edc) found to decrease from 0.36 to 0.19eV with increase in D% ratio. Measurements are performed over the frequency range 1 kHz to 3 MHz at different temperatures. From the impedance spectroscopy real and imaginary parts of impedances (Z', Z"), conductivities were calculated and plotted, and equivalent R-C circuit parameters were obtained from Cole-Cole plots. With the increase in D%, AC conductivity is observed to increase whereas the AC activation energy (Eac) is observed to decrease from 0.23 to 0.14 eV. The quantitative analysis of these results indicates that the electrical conductivity of silver borate glasses is enhanced with increase in D% ratio. Based on conductivity values these glasses are ionic conductors, in which conduction is by hopping mechanism. An attempt is made to understand the charge transportation process.

In this article, we demonstrate the combined effect of photodoping and photoinduced-surface deposition in a bilayer of chalcogenide glass (ChG) and Ag as an alternative method to optically synthesize Ag nanoparticles (AgNP) on the surface of ChG. In our experiment, AgNP formation occurs through two distinct stages: In the first stage, Ag is transported through the As 2 S 3 layer as Ag + ions, and in the second stage Ag + ions are photo-deposited as AgNP. The ex situ x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements and AFM observations show photoinduced Ag mass transport and the formation of AgNP. (paper)

This paper reports a facile synthesis of molybdenum disulfide nanosheets/silver nanoparticles (MoS{sub 2}/Ag) hybrid and its use as an effective matrix in negative ion matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The nanohybrid exerts a strong synergistic effect, leading to high performance detection of small molecule analytes including amino acids, peptides, fatty acids and drugs. The enhancement of laser desorption/ionization (LDI) efficiency is largely attributed to the high surface roughness and large surface area for analyte adsorption, better dispersibility, increased thermal conductivity and enhanced UV energy absorption as compared to pure MoS{sub 2}. Moreover, both Ag nanoparticles and the edge of the MoS{sub 2} layers function as deprotonation sites for proton capture, facilitating the charging process in negative ion mode and promoting formation of negative ions. As a result, the MoS{sub 2}/Ag nanohybrid proves to be a highly attractive matrix in MALDI-TOF MS, with desired features such as high desorption/ionization efficiency, low fragmentation interference, high salt tolerance, and no sweet-spots for mass signal. These characteristic properties allowed for simultaneous analysis of eight different drugs and quantification of acetylsalicylic acid in the spiked human serum. This work demonstrates for the first time the fabrication and application of a novel MoS{sub 2}/Ag hybrid, and provides a new platform for use in the rapid and high throughput analysis of small molecules by mass spectrometry. - Highlights: • MoS{sub 2}/Ag nanohybrid was applied as a novel matrix in negative-ion MALDI-TOF MS. • The MoS{sub 2}/Ag nanohybrid exerted synergistic effect on the detection of small molecules. • The MoS{sub 2}/Ag nanohybrid showed good signal reproducibility and low background interferences comparing to organic matrices. • MoS{sub 2}/Ag allows simultaneous analysis of multiple drugs and quantification of

Three million electron volt C + irradiation effects on the microstructure (crystallinity, crystal size), mechanical properties (hardness, Young's modulus) and oxidation of IG-110 (petroleum coke) and IG-430 (pitch coke) nuclear graphites were compared based on the materials characteristics (degree of graphitization (DOG), density, porosity, type of coke, Mrozowski cracks) of the grades and the ion-irradiation conditions. The specimens were irradiated up to ∼19 dpa at room temperature. Differences in the as-received microstructure were examined by Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), optical microscope (OM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The ion-induced changes in the microstructure, mechanical properties and oxidation characteristics were examined by the Raman spectroscopy, microhardness and Young's modulus measurements, and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Results of the as-received microstructure condition show that the DOG of the grades appeared the same at 0.837. The size of Mrozowski cracks appeared larger in the IG-110 of the higher open and total porosity than the IG-430. After an irradiation, the changes in the crystallinity and the crystallite size, both estimated by the Raman spectrum parameters, appeared large for the IG-430 and the IG-110, respectively. The hardness had increased after an irradiation, but, the hardness increasing behaviors were reversed at around 14 dpa. Thus, the IG-430 showed a higher increase before 14 dpa, but the IG-110 showed a higher increase after 14 dpa. No-clear differences in the increase of the Young's modulus were observed between the grades mainly due to a scattering in the measurements results. The IG-110 showed a higher oxidation rate than the IG-430 both before and after an irradiation. Besides the density and porosity, a possible contribution of the well-developed Mrozowski cracks in the IG-110 was noted for the observation. All the comparisons show that, even when the differences between the

Three million electron volt C + irradiation effects on the microstructure (crystallinity, crystal size), mechanical properties (hardness, Young's modulus) and oxidation of IG-110 (petroleum coke) and IG-430 (pitch coke) nuclear graphites were compared based on the materials characteristics (degree of graphitization (DOG), density, porosity, type of coke, Mrozowski cracks) of the grades and the ion-irradiation conditions. The specimens were irradiated up to ˜19 dpa at room temperature. Differences in the as-received microstructure were examined by Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), optical microscope (OM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The ion-induced changes in the microstructure, mechanical properties and oxidation characteristics were examined by the Raman spectroscopy, microhardness and Young's modulus measurements, and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Results of the as-received microstructure condition show that the DOG of the grades appeared the same at 0.837. The size of Mrozowski cracks appeared larger in the IG-110 of the higher open and total porosity than the IG-430. After an irradiation, the changes in the crystallinity and the crystallite size, both estimated by the Raman spectrum parameters, appeared large for the IG-430 and the IG-110, respectively. The hardness had increased after an irradiation, but, the hardness increasing behaviors were reversed at around 14 dpa. Thus, the IG-430 showed a higher increase before 14 dpa, but the IG-110 showed a higher increase after 14 dpa. No-clear differences in the increase of the Young's modulus were observed between the grades mainly due to a scattering in the measurements results. The IG-110 showed a higher oxidation rate than the IG-430 both before and after an irradiation. Besides the density and porosity, a possible contribution of the well-developed Mrozowski cracks in the IG-110 was noted for the observation. All the comparisons show that, even when the differences between the

Experiments performed under chemical and flow conditions representative of pressurized water reactors (PWR) primary fluid purification by ion exchange resins (Amberlite IRN9882) are modeled with the OPTIPUR code, considering 1D reactive transport in the mixed-bed column with convective/dispersive transport between beads and electro-diffusive transport within the boundary film around the beads. The effectiveness of the purification in these dilute conditions is highly related to film mass transfer restrictions, which are accounted for by adjustment of a common mass transfer coefficient (MTC) on the experimental initial leakage or modeling of species diffusion through the bead film by the Nernst-Planck equation. A detailed analysis of the modeling against experimental data shows that the Nernst-Planck approach with no adjustable parameters performs as well as, or better, than the MTC approach, particularly to simulate the chromatographic elution of silver by nickel and the subsequent enrichment of the solution in the former metal. (author)

As a result of ultrarelativistic collision between two heavy ions, a fireball is expected to form that rapidly thermalized as it expands and hence cools. As the interparticle separation increases the particles cease to interact. The surface of last scattering is the freeze-out surface. It can be of two types: chemical freeze-out (CFO) where inelastic collisions cease and kinetic freeze-out where elastic collisions cease. But in general freeze-out can be a more complicated process in which different types of particles and reactions switch-off at different times giving rise to a series of freeze-out surfaces. Here we will discuss two CFO schemes: 1CFO, in which all hadrons freeze-out together and 2CFO, in which all strange and those with hidden strangeness freeze-out at the same surface and the other non strange hadrons freeze-out at a separate surface

The charge state approach has been applied to treat the electronic stopping powers of swift O, N and B ions in carbon foil. According to the charge state model, the contributions to the electronic stopping power of energetic projectiles passing through solid targets are due to collisional interactions and from the charge exchange process. The definition of fractional effective charge from Brandt and Kitagawa has been combined into the current charge state model. Extensive applications of this approach require data of the equilibrium charge state distributions and knowledge of charge-exchange cross sections-involving electronic capture and loss processes. Both measured data and empirical calculations of the equilibrium charge state fraction are used in the study, and the electronic capture cross sections are obtained with the eikonal Brinkman-Kramers approximation (EBK). By comparing the numerical results with the latest experimental data as well as empirical values, it is shown that the present approach slightly overestimates the energy loss at the intermediate velocity region

Multiple implantations of Au and Agions in pure silica and Er-doped silica matrices have been performed to promote the formation of small Au–Ag alloy clusters. Upon annealing in N{sub 2} atmosphere at 600 °C the structural investigation based on X-ray absorption spectroscopy at Au L{sub 3}-edge detected for both cases the formation of Au–Ag alloy clusters, whose size is likely below 1 nm. The alloy composition is rich in Au; a minor part of Au atoms remains dispersed into the matrix and oxidized. In the Er-doped silica, the presence of these small alloy aggregates promotes a strong enhancement of the Er{sup 3+} luminescence at 1.54 μm, that is more marked with respect to similarly produced layers where only pure Au sub-nanometer clusters were present.

Thin self-supporting Cu targets in 11-250 μg/cm 2 thickness were bombarded with 50-165 MeV Cu sup(qi + ) ions (7 + )+Cu. From the observed K X-ray yields, K-shell vacancy production cross sections averaged over the target thickness t of projectile sigmasub(KV) and target sigmasup(*)sub(KV) were separately derived taking into account the fluorescence yield that can be estimated from the Ksub(α) X-ray energy shift. When the values of sigmasub(KV) and sigmasup(*)sub(KV) are extrapolated to zero foil thickness, the K shell vacancy formed in the collision has been found to be equally shared between projectile and target in a single collision. With the increase of penetration depth, however, the values of sigmasup(*)sub(KV) are greater than those of sigmasub(KV) presumably due to electron transfer of a target K electron to the projectile K vacancy. The evolution process of projectile excited states as a function of target thickness and the resulting variation of projectile and target K X-ray emissions are discussed. (orig.)

We have used a dc superconducting quantum interference device to measure the spectral density of magnetic flux noise, S Φ (f), generated by vortex motion in crystals of YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-δ (YBCO) both before and after irradiation with 3.1-MeV protons and 1-GeV Au ions. In addition, we have studied the effects of irradiation on the critical current J c of the same samples. Both types of irradiation reduced S Φ (f) at most temperatures and magnetic fields and increased J c at all temperatures and magnetic fields. By measuring S Φ (f) versus temperature, we extract the distribution of vortex pinning energies, D(U 0 ). Both crystals have peaks in D(U 0 ) near 0.1 eV and 0.2 eV before irradiation, and a much reduced peak near 0.1 eV after irradiation. The noise level after either kind of irradiation was substantially higher than in an unirradiated YBCO film. copyright 1996 The American Physical Society

In this paper, the conductivity of silver nanoparticle films protected by 3-mercaptopropionic acid (Ag/MPA) has been investigated. When the nanoparticles were annealed in air at 200 °C, they converted to stable Ag 2 S-Ag core–shell structures. The mechanism for the formation of the Ag 2 S-Ag core–shell structures along with the compositional changes and the microstructural evolution of the Ag/MPA nanoparticles during the annealing process are discussed. It is proposed that the Ag 2 S-Ag core–shell structure was formed through a solid-state reduction reaction, in which the Ag + ions coming from Ag 2 S were reduced by sulfonate species and sulfur ions. The final Ag 2 S-Ag films display an exponentially decreased resistivity with increasing temperature from 25 to 170 °C. The negative temperature coefficient resistivity of Ag 2 S-Ag films can be adjusted by changing the S/Ag molar ratio used for the synthesis of the Ag/MPA nanoparticles, paving the way for the preparation of negative temperature-coefficient thermistors via printing technology for use in the electronics.

Time dependent perturbed angular correlation measurements of gamma radiation in 111 Cd after 111 In decay were performed in AgPd and AgPt alloys. The concentration of Pd or Pt atoms being the nearest neighbours to the probe atoms is much higher than that one deduced from random impurity distribution. This effect results from the attractive interaction between the In probe atoms and Pt or Pd impurity atoms in silver host lattice. The binding energy of InPd and InPt complexes was measured as 135 +- 9 meV and 171 +- 9 meV, respectively. (author)

The total angular momentum transfer measured in the reactions 165 Ho on 176 Yb, 154 Sm and sup(Nat)Ag at 1400 MeV and 86 Kr + 152 Sm 610 MeV were analised on the basis of a classical model with friction forces including, besides the relative motion of the ions, their rotations and quadrupole vibrations. The ratios of tangential or pivotal to radial friction were fixed by the analysis and found to be 1/20. No strong evidences of the sticking mechanisms were found. (Author) [pt

Nucleus-nucleus collision in three different energy intervals: 50-100, 150-200 and 1900-2100A MeV have been studied in nuclear emulsion. The reactions were 16 O + average emulsion target (H, C, N, O, Ag, Br). In each event, all emitted charged particles were recorded, projectile fragments with Z>=2 identifed and the number of charged particles from the target nucleus was determined. The results are discussed in terms of the geometrical aspects of Heavy Ion collisions and direct comparisons are made with the Coldhaber fragmentation model

Eight lines of 3d 10 4s - 3d 9 4s4p and 3d 10 4p-3d 9 4p 2 transitions of CuI-like Y XI to Ag XIX ions are identified in the 30-80 A range of spectra emitted from a low-inductance vacuum spark. Identification is based on isoelectronic analysis and comparison with ab-initio relativistic calculations. In the present paper is analyzed the spectra of Mo XIV

Highlights: • AgLa(PO{sub 3}){sub 4}:Eu{sup 3+}, Tb{sup 3+} nanocrystalline phosphors were prepared by a sol–gel process. • The luminescent properties were studies by near-UV excitation. • The intense MD transition indicates the presence of high inversion symmetry site. • These results suggest that the compound is a good candidate for optical applications. - Abstract: The AgLa(PO{sub 3}){sub 4} phosphors activated with trivalent rare-earth (Eu{sup 3+}, Tb{sup 3+}) ions were prepared by a sol–gel synthesis method. The crystal structure of the compound was studied by X-ray diffraction patterns and found to be crystallized in the monoclinic system with a space group P2{sub 1}/c, indicating the calculated lattice parameters of a = 10.08 Å, b = 13.12 Å, and c = 7.314 Å. The Fourier-transform infrared spectrum, photoluminescence excitation/emission spectra, and decay curves were examined to study the optical properties. The analysis of the Eu{sup 3+} ions related emission spectrum revealed the presence of highly symmetric sites for the activator ions. The Tb{sup 3+} ions related emission spectrum exhibited a {sup 5}D{sub 3} emission due to the prolonged calcination at high temperatures, which reduces the residual hydroxyl ions. The optical properties show that this host material is suitable for phosphor materials and laser crystals.

This experimental work is devoted to the study of the ion emission in solids at the impact of gold clusters of energies within 0.15 to 1.25 MeV range. The physics of ion-solid collisions and the theoretical models of sputtering of solids under ion bombardment are presented in the first chapter. The chapter no. 2 deals with the description of the experimental setup. The study of a gold target allowed to evidence the role of the size and energy of the clusters in determining the emission intensity and the mass distribution of the ions. The 4. chapter gives results from the study of cesium iodide in which the intense emission of CsI clusters could be investigated quantitatively due to multiplicity measurements. Finally, the chapter no. 5 was devoted to the study of a biologic molecule, the phenylalanine, and of a pesticide molecule, chlorosulfuron. This work evidenced the importance of clusters for surface analyses by mass spectrometry.

Er 3+ -doped, Er 3+ /Yb 3+ co-doped tellurite glass with and without Ag NPs were synthesized by melt-quenching method. The high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) and selected area electron diffractions (SAED) manifest growth of Ag NPs. The UV–vis–NIR absorption spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy were measured. The optical band gap and multiphonon relaxation rate constants were calculated. The electronic band structure and local density of state (DOS) of Ag NPs are calculated. The fluorescence emission and enhancement mechanism including localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) and energy transfer (ET) microcosmic mechanism were discussed. The electric field distributions of Ag NPs are emulated by FDTD solutions software. Local field enhancement (LFE) induced by LSPR and lightning rod effect was found to be responsible for the fluorescence enhancement while energy transfer from Ag NPs to rare-earth was considered ignorable in the samples without photoluminescent emission. - Highlights: • Tellurite glasses containing Er 3+ , Yb 3+ and Ag NPs are prepared. • Judd–Ofelt and multiphonon relaxation are calculated. • The electronic band structures of Ag NPs are calculated. • The energy transfer mechanism is discussed. • The plasmon resonance effect of Ag NPs is discussed

Spinel lithium manganese oxide was prepared by sol-gel method and a series of Ag/LiMn 2 O 4 composites with different Ag additive contents were prepared by thermal decomposition of AgNO 3 added to the pure LiMn 2 O 4 powders. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive analysis of X-ray (EDAX) and various electrochemical measurement methods were used to examine the structural and electrochemical characteristics of the Ag/LiMn 2 O 4 composite powders. Phase analysis showed that Ag particles were dispersed on the surface of LiMn 2 O 4 instead of entering the spinel structure. According to the electrochemical tests results, it is clearly to see that Ag additives efficiently improved the cycling stability, reversibility and high-rate discharge capacity of pristine LiMn 2 O 4 by increasing the electrical conductivity between LiMn 2 O 4 particles, decreasing the polarization of cathode and reducing the dissolution of Mn. Meanwhile the influence of the Ag additive contents on the electrochemical properties of the Ag/LiMn 2 O 4 composites is also investigated in detail

The first part concerns the features of emitted charged particles in heavy ions reactions that have been studied in the framework of the semi classical Landau-Vlasov approach for the light system Ar + Al at 65 MeV/nucleon incident energy. The second part is devoted to the radioactive waste management (transmutation), but it was necessary to increase the data banks evaluated in neutrons up to 150-200 MeV and to create a data bank in protons. In the European framework it was decide to focus on three representative elements: lead (spallation target), iron (structure material) and uranium (actinide). (N.C.)

The first part concerns the features of emitted charged particles in heavy ions reactions that have been studied in the framework of the semi classical Landau-Vlasov approach for the light system Ar + Al at 65 MeV/nucleon incident energy. The second part is devoted to the radioactive waste management (transmutation), but it was necessary to increase the data banks evaluated in neutrons up to 150-200 MeV and to create a data bank in protons. In the European framework it was decide to focus on three representative elements: lead (spallation target), iron (structure material) and uranium (actinide). (N.C.)

The new thioaluminogermanate Na(AlS2)(GeS2)4 (1) was successfully synthesized by a direct combination reaction. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/n (no. 14) with unit cell parameters a = 6.803(3) Å, b = 38.207(2) Å, c = 6.947(4) Å, and β = 119.17(3)°. The crystal structure is composed of a [(AlS2)(GeS2)4]− 3D polyanionic network, in which Al and Ge atoms share the atomic positions and Na cations occupy the channels and voids formed by the connection of (Ge/Al)S4 tetrahedra. The title compound shows a cation-exchange property with monovalent Ag+ and Cu+ ions at room temperature in solvent media, resulting in the formation of the isostructural compounds Ag(AlS2)(GeS2)4 (2) and Cu(AlS2)(GeS2)4 (3), respectively. The ion-exchange products Ag(AlS2)(GeS2)4 (2) and Cu(AlS2)(GeS2)4 (3) show higher air stability and narrower bandgap energies compared to those of the parent compound Na(AlS2)(GeS2)4 (1).